| − | An '''entity''' in [[philosophy]] is anything that exists either objectively or in the [[mind]] alone, any actual or conceivable being that has existence as opposed to nonexistence, anything that has actual being or entity. Entity is also the existent quality that is the ''essence'' or ''substance'' of an idea or thing in itself; its entity, as distinct from the physical matter or force which is the outward appearance or effect that can be sensed or studied of the reality of the idea or thing. From the Latin ''entitas, -tatis'', from ''ens'', the past participle of ''esse'' "to be".<ref>''The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary'', 1966, The Reader's Digest Association | entity (p. 442)</ref> See [[Realists]]. | + | An '''entity''' in [[philosophy]] is anything that exists either objectively or in the [[mind]] alone, any actual or conceivable [[being]] that has existence as opposed to nonexistence, anything that has actual being or entity. Entity is also the existent quality that is the ''essence'' or ''substance'' of an idea or thing in itself; its entity, as distinct from the physical matter or force which is the outward appearance or effect that can be sensed or studied of the reality of the idea or thing. From the Latin ''entitas, -tatis'', from ''ens'', the past participle of ''esse'' "to be".<ref>''The Reader's Digest Great Encyclopedic Dictionary'', 1966, The Reader's Digest Association | entity (p. 442)</ref> See [[Realists]]. |