Definition:A Posteriori (Logic)
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Definition
A posteriori knowledge is the sort of knowledge which cannot be known without experience.
That is, it cannot be determined by using logic and reasoning from definitions alone.
Examples
Newton's Laws
The following is an example of a posteriori knowledge:
Newton's Laws of Motion arose from observation of the way bodies behave.
They cannot be deduced by logical argument from the definitions of what those bodies are.
Also see
Linguistic Note
The phrase a posteriori derives from the Latin for from what comes after.
Sources
- 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): a posteriori: 1.
- 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): a posteriori
- 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): a posteriori
- 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): a posteriori
- 2021: Richard Earl and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (6th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): a posteriori