English edit

Alternative forms edit

Etymology edit

Literal translation of the German Ding an sich.

Noun edit

thing-in-itself (plural things-in-themselves)

  1. (from Kantian philosophy on) A thing as it is independent of any conceptualization or perception by the human mind, postulated by practical reason but existing in a condition which is in principle unknowable and unexperienceable.
    Synonym: noumenon
    Antonym: phenomenon

Translations edit

References edit