Type: Latin term

Meaning:

The phrase “A priori” refers to knowledge or justification that is independent of experience or observation. It denotes a type of reasoning or argument that relies solely on general principles, concepts, or truths that are assumed to be universally valid and do not require empirical evidence for their validation.

Etymology:

The term “A priori” is derived from Latin, where “a” means “from” or “before,” and “priori” indicates “the previous” or “what comes before.” When used in philosophical or epistemological contexts, it signifies knowledge that precedes empirical investigation.

Usage:

1. In epistemology, the distinction between “a priori” and “a posteriori” knowledge helps to differentiate between knowledge that is gained independently of experience (a priori) and knowledge that is derived from experience (a posteriori).

2. The concept of “a priori” reasoning is frequently employed in various disciplines, including mathematics, logic, metaphysics, and certain branches of science.

Example:

One classic example of a priori knowledge is the principle that “all bachelors are unmarried men.” This statement is known to be true solely based on the definitions of the words used, without requiring any direct observation or empirical evidence.