inherency

Inherency refers to the quality or state of being inherent—the characteristic that belongs to something's essential nature rather than being added from outside. An inherent property is one that a thing would lose only by ceasing to be what it is. By contrast, incidental or accidental properties can change without altering the identity of the thing.

In philosophy and metaphysics, inherent properties are contrasted with contingent or relational properties. For example, being a mammal is an intrinsic property of humans, whereas wearing a blue shirt is not inherent to the person's nature. The discussion often centers on essential versus contingent attributes and what it means for a property to be part of the core essence of an object or being.

In logic and science, the term helps distinguish attributes that are essential to defining a class or entity from those that can vary with state, context, or environment. Essential properties are used in theories of classification, identification, and necessity in possible-worlds analyses.

Legal and political usage distinguishes between inherited or inherent powers and those created by statute or agreement. In governance, inherent powers are those presumed to belong to a sovereign or authority even if not expressly stated. In human rights discourse, inherent rights are regarded as belonging to all humans by virtue of being human, not granted by governments or institutions.

Critics note that determining what is inherent can be difficult and disputed. The line between essential and nonessential attributes may shift with new knowledge, different theoretical frameworks, or changing norms, making the concept a topic of ongoing philosophical and empirical discussion.