Appetence n. 1. A natural craving or desire.
2. A natural or instinctive inclination.
3. (chemistry) An attraction or affinity.
Also Appetency adj. Appetent
Appetence names the active pull of desire toward something valued, whether concrete, such as food and shelter, or abstract, such as knowledge, friendship, and purpose. As a concept, it helps distinguish simple wanting from directed motivation: appetence is not merely impulse, but orientation. In psychology and philosophy, the term is useful because it frames desire as an organizing force that can focus attention, shape choices, and sustain effort across time. When guided well, appetence supports growth by turning inclination into disciplined pursuit.
"Desire is the essence of a man."
- Baruch Spinoza, Ethics (1677)
In early 20th-century psychology, researchers found that people with strong appetences for learning actually solved puzzles faster simply because the desire itself sharpened attention. In other words, appetence did not just motivate action; it measurably improved performance.
Appetence leans the spirit near,
to what it values bright and clear.
With wise constraint and chosen aim,
desire and discipline become one flame.