Exist vs. Inherent

Attribute	Exist	Inherent
Definition	Being present or having reality	Belonging to the basic nature of something
Opposite	Non-exist	Acquired
Philosophical concept	Ontology	Essentialism
Dependent on	External factors	Internal characteristics

Definition

Exist and inherent are two terms that are often used in philosophical discussions to describe different aspects of reality. Exist refers to the state of being present or having actuality, while inherent refers to something that is essential to the nature of a thing or person. In other words, exist deals with the existence of something, while inherent deals with the qualities or characteristics that are inseparable from that thing.

Existence

Existence is a fundamental concept in philosophy that deals with the state of being. When something exists, it is real and has actuality. Existence is often seen as the most basic attribute of anything that can be said to exist. It is the foundation upon which all other attributes are built. Existence can be understood as the fact of being present in the world, whether physically or conceptually.

Inherence

Inherence, on the other hand, refers to the qualities or characteristics that are essential to the nature of a thing. These qualities are inseparable from the thing itself and are considered to be inherent in its being. For example, the color of an apple is inherent to the apple itself - it is an essential quality that cannot be separated from the apple. Inherence is often used to describe the essential nature of something and the qualities that define it.

Relationship

Existence and inherence are closely related concepts, but they are not the same. Existence deals with the state of being, while inherence deals with the qualities that are essential to that being. In other words, existence is about the fact of being present, while inherence is about the qualities that make something what it is. One can exist without having inherent qualities, but inherent qualities cannot exist without something to be inherent in.

Examples

To better understand the difference between exist and inherent, let's consider some examples. A tree exists in the forest - it is a real, physical object that can be seen and touched. The tree's existence is a fact that can be observed. On the other hand, the green color of the tree's leaves is inherent to the tree itself. It is a quality that is essential to the nature of the tree and cannot be separated from it. The tree can exist without being green, but it cannot exist without having some color.

Implications

The distinction between exist and inherent has important implications for philosophy and metaphysics. Understanding the difference between these two concepts can help us better understand the nature of reality and the qualities that define the things that exist in the world. By recognizing the difference between existence and inherence, we can gain a deeper insight into the fundamental nature of things and the relationships between them.