That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only be a process of reasoning -- which is a phenomenon. Nevertheless, the discovery and exposition of noumena offer a rich field for what Lewes calls "the endless variety and excitement of philosophic thought." Hurrah (therefore) for the noumenon!
The of itself unknown and unknowable rational object, or thing in itself, which is distinguished from the phenomenon through which it is apprehended by the senses, and by which it is interpreted and understood; -- so used in the philosophy of Kant and his followers.
in Kant, the ultimate reality, or “Thing-in-Itself,” which can be conceived by thought, but cannot be perceived in experience.
The unknowable reality or thing-in-itself which is postulated as the basis, ground, or cause of the phenomenon.
the intellectual conception of a thing as it is in itself, not as it is known through perception
According to Kant, that which exists objectively, as opposed to that which our perception leads us to think exists (the phenomenon, or the "thing-as-it-is-to-me" rather than the "thing-as-it-is."); an object of thought.
the name given to a thing when it is viewed as a transcendent object. The term 'negative noumenon' refers only to the recognition of something which is not an object of sensible intuition, while 'positive noumenon' refers to the (quite mistaken) attempt to know such a thing as an empirical object. These two terms are sometimes used loosely as synonyms for ' transcendental object' and ' thing in itself', respectively. (Cf. phenomenon.)
in Kantian philosophy, the thing-in-itself which cannot be perceived in experience.
For the Melodic death metal band, see Noumena (band).