The word "givenness" is spelled with three syllables: /ˈɡɪvnəsnəs/. The first syllable "giv" is pronounced like the word "give", followed by "en-", which is pronounced like the letter "N" and a short "uh" sound, and then "-ness", which is pronounced like the word "ness". "Givenness" is a noun that refers to the quality or state of being given, often used in philosophical or theological contexts. It can be a challenging word to spell or pronounce, but knowing the IPA transcription can make it easier to understand.
Givenness is a philosophical concept that refers to the inherent quality of something being "given" or presented to us in experience without any conscious effort or independent verification. It is the primary mode through which we encounter the world around us. It suggests that certain aspects of our experience, such as sensory perceptions, emotions, or intuitions, are not products of the human mind alone, but are received as gifts, or "givens," independent of our will or intention.
In this context, givenness embodies the belief that there are objective truths or realities that exist outside of our subjective judgments or interpretations. It implies that there is an inherent connectedness between the external world and our conscious awareness, where we are receptive to the givenness of sensory input and can derive meaning and understanding from it.
Givenness also highlights the idea that these "givens" are not arbitrary or random occurrences, but carry within them a sense of purpose or intentionality. It recognizes that there is a deeper significance or intention behind the presence of these given phenomena in our experience.
Furthermore, givenness entails an acknowledgement of our limited ability to fully comprehend or control the given aspects of our existence. It emphasizes the humility required to accept the givenness of things as they are, rather than trying to impose our own desires or preconceptions onto them.
Overall, givenness is a philosophical term that describes the inherent quality of things being presented to us as gifts, independent of our conscious will, and emphasizes the interconnectedness, intentionality, and limited understanding that accompany our experience of the world.
The word "givenness" is derived from the verb "give" combined with the suffix "-ness". The verb "give" has Old English roots, where it originally meant "to grant, bestow, deliver, or contribute". Over time, "give" has come to imply the act of transferring ownership or presenting something to someone. The suffix "-ness" is commonly used in English to convert adjectives into nouns, indicating a state or quality. In the case of "givenness", it refers to the state or quality of being given.