qualitats

Qualitats is the Catalan plural form of the noun qualitat, meaning qualities or attributes. The term is used to refer to the properties that define or distinguish something, including tangible characteristics, functions, or inherent features. Etymologically, qualitat comes from Latin qualitas, and in Catalan the plural is qualitats.

Qualitats can be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic qualities are inherent to the thing itself, while extrinsic qualities depend on context or perspective. They can be essential, identifying the nature of a thing, or accidental, present but not defining. Qualitats cover a wide range of domains, including physical properties (color, mass, texture), chemical or molecular attributes, functional aspects (speed, efficiency, durability), perceptual or aesthetic ones (appearance, taste, style), and, when referring to people, moral or character traits (integrity, empathy).

In evaluation and design, qualities are often described using qualitative descriptions or quantitative measurements. Quality management aims to improve desirable qualitats while reducing deficiencies, with approaches such as quality assurance, quality control, and adherence to standards like ISO 9001. In product development, qualitats influence requirements, testing, and user satisfaction.

Philosophically, the term relates to properties or attributes a thing possesses. In historical contexts, scholars used qualitat to discuss how things are or appear, a line of inquiry that intersects with modern discussions of properties and experiences.

Examples illustrate the concept: a smartphone’s qualitats may include battery life and security features; a person’s qualitats may be reliability and creativity. Qualitats thus encompass a broad and practical notion of what makes something what it is.