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Relating to or denoting reasoning or knowledge which proceeds from theoretical deduction rather than from observation or experience.
‘a priori assumptions about human nature’- ‘And, as seen earlier in connection with his ‘logic’, his concepts of demonstration and proof straddle the a priori / a posteriori distinction.’
- ‘Historically the a priori / a posteriori distinction has been closely associated with that between the innate and the learned.’
- ‘This conclusion is not, however, a complete vindication of his early scepticism: for the a priori / empirical distinction, which he sought to bring down as well, is both defensible and worth defending.’
- ‘In the absence of a clear characterization of the a priori / a posteriori distinction, it is by no means obvious what is being asserted or what is being denied.’
- ‘So, we will have to make a priori assumptions.’
- ‘I'm not suggesting we make a priori assumptions about them with everything, but what I am saying is that the ways they seek to accomplish their goals are often contrary to what the organization stands for.’
- ‘The goal is to make a priori statements about the adversary's behavior which will include all kinds of adversaries, even those never seen.’
theoretical, deduced, deductive, inferred, scientificView synonyms
adverb
In a way based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.
‘sexuality may be a factor but it cannot be assumed a priori’- ‘I argue that an ethical critique is implicit in his objections to any attempt to speak a priori about language and thought.’
- ‘This much of the theory's content can be specified, so to speak, a priori, before taking physical contingencies into account.’
- ‘‘It is difficult to conclude a priori that teeth which spontaneously pit are stronger teeth.’’
theoretically, from theory, deductively, scientificallyView synonyms
Origin
Late 16th century Latin, ‘from what is before’.
Pronunciation
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