fallible
/'fæləbl/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Capable of making mistakes or being wrong: Describes a person, system, or judgment that is not perfect and is therefore liable to be incorrect or to fail.
- Lacking absolute reliability: Indicates that something is not infallible and may contain errors or flaws.
Usage
The word "fallible" is used to describe the inherent human condition of being imperfect and prone to error. It contrasts with concepts of perfection, divinity, or absolute certainty. It is often applied to people, human judgment, memory, reasoning, or systems created by humans.
Examples
- Describing a person:
- All human beings are fallible; we all make mistakes.
- As a fallible judge, he acknowledged that his initial ruling might have been too harsh.
- Describing human qualities or creations:
- Human memory is fallible and can be influenced by suggestion.
- Any security system designed by fallible humans can potentially be breached.
Advanced Usage
- Philosophical/Formal Context: Used to discuss epistemology (the theory of knowledge) or human nature.
- The theory acknowledges the fallible nature of all scientific knowledge, which is always open to revision.
- Contrast with "infallible": Often used to explicitly deny claims of perfection.
- She rejected the idea of an infallible leader, insisting that every authority figure is fallible.
Variants and Related Words
- Fallibility (noun): The quality of being fallible.
- The fallibility of eyewitness testimony is a major concern in the legal system.
- Infallible (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning incapable of making mistakes or being wrong.
Synonyms
- Error-prone: Likely to make errors.
- Imperfect: Having faults or shortcomings.
- Mortal: (In this context) Subject to death and imperfection, as opposed to divine.
Antonyms
- Infallible: Incapable of error.
- Faultless: Without any flaws or mistakes.
- Perfect: Having all the required elements in the best possible form.
Related Phrases and Concepts
- To err is human: A common proverb that encapsulates the idea of human fallibility.
- Achilles' heel: A metaphor for a critical weakness, often stemming from fallibility.
Adjective
- wanting in moral strength, courage, or will; having the attributes of man as opposed to e.g. divine beings
- I'm only a fallible human
- frail humanity
- likely to fail or make errors
- everyone is fallible to some degree