A POSTERIORI • FREE TRANSLATOR.ORG • Definition of A posteriori

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A posteriori phr.

(Logic) Characterizing that kind of reasoning which derives propositions from the observation of facts, or by generalizations from facts arrives at principles and definitions, or infers causes from effects. This is the reverse of a priori reasoning.

(Philos.) Applied to knowledge which is based upon or derived from facts through induction or experiment; inductive or empirical.

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Etymology of 'Posteriori'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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"A posteriori" Quotes from Famous Books

... not only an ungentlemanly, but also an ungodly act on Jupiter's part. Reasoning a posteriori, one would think it must have ...

— The Comic Latin Grammar - A new and facetious introduction to the Latin tongue • Percival Leigh

... as we have seen, to be based upon experience: it abrogates the distinction of a priori and a posteriori truth. It also acknowledges that many differences of kind are resolvable into differences of degree. It is familiar with the terms 'evolution,' 'development,' and the like. Yet it can hardly be said to have ...

— Sophist • Plato

... fortnight, was "to keep her jogging south, allowing for variation," and that she was heading at that moment according to orders. Hereupon, Noah gave Bob, who happened to pass him just then, a smart application a posteriori, and swore "that the compass was as big a fool as the mate; that the ship was two points off her course; that south was hereaway, and not thereaway; that he knew by the feel of the wind that it had no northin' in it, ...

— The Monikins • J. Fenimore Cooper

... demonstrations of grief and attributes them to the effeminate Clisthenes. Sebinus the Anaphlystian is a coined name containing an obscene allusion, implying he was in the habit of allowing connexion with himself a posteriori, and being masturbated by ...

— The Eleven Comedies - Vol. I • Aristophanes et al

... that of the occult influences of the planets (using the word occult in no bad sense but simply as meaning not thoroughly traced) can be approached in two ways—either by the a priori probability of the existence of such influences, or by the a posteriori evidence of their effects. If the two can be combined, the subject may be considered as claiming the dignity of a science. Even if the effects alone are certain, it may be considered that we have a science of inferior degree, wanting however that ...

— Autobiography of Sir George Biddell Airy • George Biddell Airy

... account. The difference was that the German thinkers sought their principle in logic and applied it a priori, while Vico sought his in concrete psychology and engaged in laborious research to establish it a posteriori by the actual data of history. But both speculations suggested that the course of human development corresponds to the fundamental character of mental processes and is not diverted either by Providential intervention or by free acts of ...

— The Idea of Progress - An Inquiry Into Its Origin And Growth • J. B. Bury

Words linked to "A posteriori" : empirical, empiric, synthetic, a priori, synthetical