a posteriori
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WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH a posteriori
ad hoc, a posteriori , a priori, ex post facto, prima facieWords nearby a posteriori
MORE ABOUT A POSTERIORI
What does a posteriori mean?
A posteriori is a term applied to knowledge considered to be true based on experience, observation, or existing data. In this sense, a posteriori describes knowledge that requires evidence.
A posteriori comes from Latin and literally translates as âfrom the latterâ or âfrom the one behind.â
Itâs often applied to things involving inductive reasoning, which uses specific instances to arrive at a general principle or law (from effect to cause).
It can be used as an adjective, as in a posteriori knowledge, or as an adverb, as in We acquire knowledge a posterioriâthrough experience.
A posteriori contrasts with a priori, which literally translates as âfrom the previousâ or âfrom the one beforeâ and is applied to things considered to be true without being based on previous experience or observation. A priori is applied to things that involve deductive reasoning, which uses general principles to arrive at specific facts or conclusions (from cause to effect).
Both a priori and a posteriori are used in the context of reasoning and philosophy, especially epistemology, which is the philosophical study of knowledge. Both can also be used generally, though theyâre often used formally.
Example: Itâs a scientistâs job to gather facts a posteriori by careful observation.
Where does a posteriori come from?
The first records of the use of a posteriori in English come from around 1620. The first part, a, means âfrom,â and posteriori means âbehindâ (the English word posterior is based on the same root).
The terms a priori and a posteriori were popularized by philosopher Immanuel Kant in his influential 1781 book Critique of Pure Reason, which focuses on the distinction between empirical and non-empirical knowledge.
A priori knowledge is independent of experience, while a posteriori knowledge is derived from experience or observation. Things that are claimed to be true a priori are often thought to be self-evident, while those claimed to be true a posteriori are based on what has been experienced or demonstrated to be true.
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How is a posteriori used in real life?
A posteriori is primarily used in philosophy, but is also occasionally used in general conversation and writing.
My break up with someoneâs son showed me that we had no business trying again. Lessons about love can only be a posteriori never a priori.
— Zinhle kaâNobuhlaluse (@ConflictedBlkW) March 26, 2020
A posteriori knowledge or justification is dependent on experience or empirical evidence
— Philosophy TweetsâĄïž (@philosophytweet) April 30, 2013
All this staying indoors has really put a dent in my a posteriori knowledge but it's done wonders for my a priori knowledge
— Michael Bench-Capon (@MikeBenchCapon) June 3, 2020
Try using a posteriori!
True or False?Â
A posteriori knowledge is thought to be self-evident.