ësinë

ësinë is a term encountered in Albanian-language philosophy, where it denotes the essential nature or intrinsic properties that define the identity of a thing.

Defined in this way, ësinë refers to the set of properties without which the thing would not be what it is, and it is typically contrasted with contingent or accidental properties as well as with existence.

In practice, the term is used in scholarly discussions as a counterpart to the familiar metaphysical notion of essence found in European philosophy, and it may appear in translations of works that address essence and essential properties.

Linguistic and historical notes indicate that esenca is the more common Albanian word for essence, while ësinë can occur as an alternative form, in dialectal usage, or for stylistic reasons.

Within contemporary debates, discussions of ësinë intersect with essentialism, natural kinds, and debates over whether essences are discoverable, necessary, or constructs of human classification; critics warn against reifying abstract properties.

See also: esenca; essentialism; ontology.