Stoffliche

Stoffliche is a German term used to denote the material or physical aspect of reality. It is commonly formed from Stoff (substance, matter) and the adjectival suffix -lich. When capitalized as das Stoffliche, it functions as a noun meaning the material world or materiality.

Etymology and meaning: The word derives from the root Stoff and expresses the tangible, corporeal side of phenomena. As a nominalized adjective, it can refer to the realm or quality of matter rather than to mind or spirit.

Usage: In philosophy and critical theory, Stoffliche designates the non-mental, physical dimensions of phenomena. It is often contrasted with Geistige (the mental). In scientific and technical German, phrases such as stoffliche Eigenschaften describe material properties like density, elasticity, and thermal conductivity. In aesthetics or cultural studies, das Stoffliche may refer to the material conditions of production or the physical substrate of artifacts, emphasizing touch, texture, and material constraints.

Notes: The exact connotations vary by author and context. Some treat Stofflichkeit as an ontological category linked to materiality, while others use it descriptively without ontological commitment.

Translations: In English, closest equivalents include the material, materiality, corporeality, or physicality, depending on context.

See also: Stofflichkeit, Materiality, German philosophy, Matter (philosophy).