Subauténtias

Subauténtias is a term used in contemporary philosophy and digital sociology to describe partial authenticity. It refers to self-presentations that are intentionally incomplete or context-dependent, resisting a single, stable authentic self. Unlike traditional theories that seek a core essence, subauténtias acknowledges multiple, situational expressions of identity that may be authentic within their own contexts.

Etymology and origin: The word blends sub- (under, below) with autenticas/auténticas roots, signaling “below authenticity.” The coinage appears in early 21st-century Spanish-language essays on online identity and has since circulated in cross-cultural discussions; it lacks a single canonical origin and is used variably across texts.

Concept and usage: It suggests that a person can exhibit credibility through several partial authenticities across different settings—work, family, online communities—without claiming a single overarching authenticity. This is often discussed in relation to curated social media profiles, privacy-preserving disclosure, and user interfaces that adapt to context. In fiction and theory, subauténtias can model characters who reveal only fragments of their inner state.

Implications: For trust, privacy, and design, subauténtias challenges binary notions of truthfulness, offering a framework for understanding context-dependent disclosure and the ethics of representation. It intersects with performativity, identity politics, and algorithmic curation.

Criticism: Some scholars argue the concept risks relativizing truth or enabling deception. Proponents counter that it reflects real-life complexity and can protect vulnerable individuals. See also authenticity, performativity, digital identity.