Existence and Essence

Existence refers to the state of being; that something is present or real. Essence, on the other hand, is the core nature or identity of that being—what fundamentally defines it. For instance, a tree exists and its essence includes being a living organism that grows, produces leaves, and provides oxygen. In discussions of identity and change, these concepts explore how something can remain the same in essence even as its existence changes. For example, a tree may lose leaves in winter but retains its essence as a tree, highlighting the distinction between what something is and its physical state at any given time.