immanenssi

Immanenssi is a Finnish term that translates to immanence in English. It is a philosophical and theological concept that refers to the state of being or dwelling within. In philosophy, immanence stands in contrast to transcendence, which suggests that a reality exists outside or beyond the observable world. An immanent God, for example, is seen as present within creation rather than separate from it. This perspective emphasizes the interconnectedness of the divine with the natural world and all its phenomena.

The concept of immanence can be found in various philosophical traditions. Pantheism, for instance, is a form of immanence where God and the universe are considered identical. Panentheism, on the other hand, views the universe as being within God, with God also transcending the universe. In more general philosophical discourse, immanence can describe qualities or properties that are inherent to a thing, meaning they are essential and cannot be separated from it. This is distinct from transitive actions or properties that act upon something external. The understanding of immanenssi is crucial for grasping certain metaphysical and theological viewpoints, particularly those that seek to locate the divine or fundamental reality within the fabric of existence itself.