inwardness inwardness /ˈɪnwərdnɪs/

noun

1. Preoccupation with what concerns human inner nature (especially ethical or ideological values)  ( internality , inwardness )
   preoccupation with what concerns human inner nature (especially ethical or ideological values)
    Socrates' inwardness, integrity, and inquisitiveness
   Socrates' inwardness, integrity, and inquisitiveness
   
2. The quality or state of being inward or internal  ( inwardness )
   the quality or state of being inward or internal
    The inwardness of the body's organs
   the inwardness of the body's organs
   
3. Preoccupation especially with one's attitudes and ethical or ideological values  ( inwardness )
   preoccupation especially with one's attitudes and ethical or ideological values
    The sensitiveness of James's characters, their seeming inwardness
   the sensitiveness of James's characters, their seeming inwardness
    Inwardness is what an Englishman quite simply has, painlessly, as a birthright
   inwardness is what an Englishman quite simply has, painlessly, as a birthright
   
4. The choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience  ( centre [Canadian, British] , gist , heart and soul , inwardness , kernel , marrow , meat , nitty-gritty , nub , center [American] , core , essence , heart , pith , substance , sum )
   the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience
    The gist of the prosecutor's argument
   the gist of the prosecutor's argument
    The heart and soul of the Republican Party
   the heart and soul of the Republican Party
    The nub of the story
   the nub of the story