as a thing in itself

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as a thing in itself" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used in philosophical discussions to refer to the intrinsic nature or essence of an object, independent of perception or interpretation. Example: "Kant argued that we can never truly know an object as a thing in itself, only as it appears to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I don't like nationalism as a thing in itself.

The Guardian

Many of these theorists regard block as a thing in itself, a mental condition that one can be stricken with.

The New Yorker

But New York also has symbolic battles that really are battles over symbols — where what is being fought over is not what a sign stands for but its existence as a thing in itself.

The New Yorker

The identity of a work of art as a thing in itself, independent of representation, was on the way to general recognition when the outbreak of war in 1914 interrupted artistic life throughout most of Europe.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Independents such as Zali Steggall and Oliver Yates are thumping the government on climate change, both as a thing in itself and as a proxy for dysfunction within the Liberal party which is imposing costs on the citizenry.

The Guardian

They almost completely ignore the cherished modernist attraction to space as a thing in itself, and attend endlessly and imaginatively to one of modernism's cardinal taboos, the pedestal or base.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Operationalists rejected the idea of nature as a thing-in-itself existing behind the appearances observed in experimentation.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Kant identifies the inadmissible condition as the implicit taking of matter as a thing-in-itself, which in turn leads to the mistake of taking the division of matter into parts to subsist independently of the act of dividing.

SEP

These cannot be both be true of the completed (or at least completable) sequence of divisions which would result from taking matter or substance as a thing-in-itself.[26] Now since the truth of both assertions has been shown to follow from that assumption, it must be false, that is, matter and extended substance are appearances only.

SEP

Schopenhauer concurs that hypothesizing a thing-in-itself as the cause of our sensations amounts to a constitutive application and projection of the concept of causality beyond its legitimate scope, for according to Kant himself, the concept of causality only supplies knowledge when it is applied within the field of possible experience, and not outside of it.

SEP

First of all, he argued that the very concept of a "thing in itself," understood as a mind-independent, external "cause" of sensations, is indefensible on Critical grounds.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "as a thing in itself" when you want to emphasize that something has inherent value or significance, independent of its relationship to other things. For example, 'Art should be appreciated "as a thing in itself", not just for its potential monetary value.'

Common error

Avoid using "as a thing in itself" in situations where simpler phrasing would suffice. The phrase carries philosophical weight, so deploying it for mundane observations can sound pretentious. For example, instead of saying, 'I enjoy reading "as a thing in itself",' consider 'I simply enjoy reading'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as a thing in itself" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to specify that something is being considered independently of external factors. Ludwig's analysis confirms its appropriate usage in philosophical and analytical contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

31%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "as a thing in itself" is a powerful tool for emphasizing intrinsic value and independent existence. Ludwig AI validates its grammatical correctness and suitability for analytical and philosophical contexts. While "as a thing in itself" is valuable for formal discussions, remember to consider simpler phrasing for everyday use. Alternatives like "in its own right" or "in and of itself" can provide similar emphasis with slightly different nuances. Be mindful of overuse in simple contexts to avoid sounding pretentious. Usage is common in News & Media, Science and Encyclopedias authoritative sources. This expression brings precision and depth to discussions of inherent qualities and independent entities.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in and of itself

This stresses the self-contained nature of something, similar to the original phrase but more emphatic.

in its own right

This emphasizes the independent validity or importance of something.

as a self-contained entity

This is a more descriptive alternative, emphasizing independence and completeness.

by its very nature

This highlights the inherent qualities that define something.

for its own sake

This implies that something is done or valued without ulterior motives.

intrinsically

This adverb focuses on the inherent nature of something, simplifying the expression.

independently

This highlights the separate and autonomous existence or value of something.

as such

This indicates that something is being considered in its general or essential form.

essentially

This focuses on the fundamental or core aspect of something.

considered alone

This directs focus solely on the object, isolated from external factors.

FAQs

How can I use "as a thing in itself" in a sentence?

Use "as a thing in itself" to highlight the intrinsic qualities or value of something, apart from any external factors or relationships. For instance, 'She valued knowledge "as a goal in itself", not just for its practical applications'.

What does "as a thing in itself" mean philosophically?

Philosophically, "as a thing in itself" refers to the essence or true nature of an object, independent of how it is perceived or understood. This concept is closely associated with Kantian philosophy, where the 'thing-in-itself' is unknowable.

What can I say instead of "as a thing in itself"?

You can use alternatives like "in its own right", "intrinsically", or "in and of itself depending on the context and the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "as a thing in itself" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "as a thing in itself" is more common in formal or philosophical contexts. In everyday conversation, simpler phrases like "essentially" or "inherently" might be more appropriate.