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Whatness vs Thatness - What's the difference?

whatness | thatness |

As nouns the difference between whatness and thatness

is that whatness is essence; quiddity while thatness is the quality or characteristic of being that (something referred to).

whatness

English

Noun

(es)
  • (philosophy) Essence; quiddity.
  • Quality; quantity.
  • *1961 , Thomas Aquinas, Commentary on the Metaphysics of Aristotle: Volume 2 :
    • For in one sense whatness signifies substance and this particular thing, and in another sense it signifies each of the other categories, such as quantity, quality and the like.

    thatness

    English

    Noun

    (en-noun)
  • The quality or characteristic of being that (something referred to).

    • Related terms

    * thisness