preexistence
1
8.0
- noun
- /ˌpriːɪˈzɪstəns/
- In philosophy, the concept of preexistence often refers to the soul's existence prior to its earthly life.
- preexistence of the soul
Examples
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Eusebius's first task in the Church History is to explain the doctrine of the preexistence of the Word.
Academic text (2002) -
And the wonder is not only that these things have an independent existence but also that they seem to have had a preexistence—that is, to have a history that antedates our awareness of them.
Academic text (1999) -
To the extent that at times I was fascinated by the idea of the preexistence of the soul.
Academic text (1990) -
The Gospel of John is one important example that had a prominent influence on the later tradition, especially through its Christology of preexistence.
Academic text (2008) -
Both the 1981 and 1985 documents went further in claiming that in his human consciousness, Jesus was aware of his personal preexistence as Son of God.
Academic text (1992) -
NRDA depends on the preexistence of an adequate scientific understanding to produce compensatory restoration for lost resources and their ecosystem and human services.
Academic text (2012) -
She attributes this excessive negativity toward creation to O'Connell's controversial doctrine of the soul's preexistence.
Academic text (2007) -
The Homoians sought to refute the modalist denial of Christ's preexistence by appealing to theophanies.
Academic text (2007) -
Many cultures believe in the preexistence of souls before they are born into the world.
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The preexistence of ancient civilizations can be seen in the ruins that still exist today.
Synonyms
1
9.9
Being earlier than another event in time
1
8.6
The fact of happening before something else in time
Being earlier in time or order than something else
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Preexistence comes from the part pre- meaning 'before' and existence from exist meaning 'to be'. So preexistence means 'being before' something, the state of existing before another event or time.