Omnisentience is a term used in philosophy to describe the concept of all-knowingness. It is spelled as /ɑmniːˈsɛntiəns/, with a stress on the second syllable. The "o" is replaced with "omni-", which means "all" in Latin. The root word "sentience" is derived from the Latin word "sentientia", meaning "feeling". Therefore, the word "omnisentience" refers to the capacity to perceive everything and feel all emotions. This term plays a significant role in various fields, including theology, psychology, and cognitive science.
Omnisentience refers to the state or quality of being all-knowing or having complete and unlimited knowledge and awareness of all things. Derived from the Latin words "omni" meaning all, and "sentience" referring to consciousness or awareness, omnisentience signifies the comprehensive and comprehensive comprehension of everything.
This concept is often associated with the divine or supernatural beings that possess the ability to perceive, understand, and comprehend all aspects of existence simultaneously. Omnisentience is thus attributed to deities or supreme beings across various religious and spiritual belief systems.
In omnisentience, there is an understanding of all past, present, and future events, as well as profound knowledge of all thoughts, emotions, motives, and intentions. It encompasses an understanding of all dimensions, realms, and aspects of reality, beyond the limits of human perception.
Omnisentience denotes an infinite wisdom and knowledge, surpassing human comprehension. It is often regarded as a divine attribute, symbolizing perfection and absolute understanding.
In philosophical and theological discussions, omnisentience is often debated alongside related concepts such as omnipotence (all-powerfulness) and omnibenevolence (unlimited goodness). These qualities collectively form the basis of the conventional understanding of a supreme being or higher power in many religious traditions, ensuring that everything is within its knowledge and understanding.
The word omnisentience is a combination of two roots: omni- and sentience.
1. Omni- is derived from the Latin word omnis, meaning all or every. It is often used as a prefix to indicate all-encompassing or unlimited presence.
2. Sentience originates from the Latin word sentientia, which is derived from the verb sentire, meaning to perceive or to feel. Sentience refers to the capacity for consciousness, awareness, or the ability to perceive or experience sensations.
Therefore, the word omnisentience can be understood to mean all-knowing perception or all-encompassing awareness.