selfnature

Selfnature is a theoretical construct used in philosophy and psychology to denote the intrinsic, enduring core of a person's self. It is thought to comprise the set of characteristics, dispositions, and capacities that remain relatively stable across time and situations, forming a basis for personal identity. By contrast, self-concept describes how a person thinks about themselves at any given moment, and self-presentation refers to outward behavior in social contexts.

The term is not standardized in major encyclopedic works but appears in discussions of essentialism, authenticity, and core-self theories. It is sometimes invoked in debates about nature versus nurture to denote the relatively stable elements of individuality, as opposed to more changeable traits shaped by environment and learning.

Variations of the idea include core self, true self, or essential self, each with slightly different emphases. Selfnature is commonly treated as a theoretical anchor for questions about continuity of identity, moral agency, and authenticity, but it is also criticized for reifying a fixed self in ways that downplay social and cultural influences.

Empirically, researchers may speak of trait stability, genetic influences, or early development as partially underlying a presumed selfnature, while acknowledging substantial plasticity over the life course.