a priori
/'eiprai'ɔ:rai/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Based on hypothesis, theory, or deduction rather than on experience or observation: Describes reasoning, knowledge, or arguments that proceed from a general principle or assumed cause to its necessary effects.
- Presumed or assumed to be true without analysis: Describes a judgment made prior to or independently of investigation of the specific case.
Adverb:
- In a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation: Describes the manner of deriving a conclusion logically from a premise, without reference to specific facts.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- His argument was purely a priori, relying on logic rather than data.
- We can make an a priori assumption about human nature for this model.
Adverb:
- One can reason a priori that all bachelors are unmarried.
- She concluded a priori that the plan would fail, without examining the details.
Advanced Usage
Philosophical Context: In philosophy, especially in the work of Immanuel Kant, a priori knowledge is knowledge that is independent of experience (e.g., "All triangles have three sides"). It is often contrasted with a posteriori knowledge, which depends on experience.
- Kant argued that the propositions of mathematics are synthetic a priori judgments.
Legal Context: Used to describe reasoning or decisions based on a fixed rule or principle applied to a case, rather than on the case's specific circumstances.
- The judge rejected an a priori application of the rule, insisting on examining the evidence.
Variants and Related Words
- A priority (n., rare): The quality or condition of being a priori.
- Apriorism (n.): The philosophical doctrine that knowledge can be derived independently of experience.
- Aprioristic (adj.): Relating to or characterized by a priori reasoning.
Synonyms
- Deductive: Reasoning from the general to the particular.
- Theoretical: Concerned with or involving theory and hypothesis rather than practical application.
- Presupposed: Assumed beforehand.
Antonyms
- A posteriori: Based on observation, experience, or empirical evidence.
- Empirical: Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience.
- Inductive: Reasoning from specific observations to broader generalizations.
Related Phrases and Idioms
- A priori reasoning / argument / knowledge: Standard collocations using the term.
- His conclusion was the result of a priori reasoning.
- Assume a priori: To presuppose something without proof.
- We cannot assume a priori that the system is flawless.
Adjective
- based on hypothesis or theory rather than experiment
- involving deductive reasoning from a general principle to a necessary effect; not supported by fact
- an a priori judgment
Adverb
- derived by logic, without observed facts