A Posteriori - Explained
What is A Posteriori?
Written by J. Mance Gordon
Updated at April 22nd, 2024
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What is A Posteriori?
A posteriori is a Latin phrase that means "from the later." It refers to knowledge gained following the analysis of an issue. It is the opposite of A Priori, which is knowledge obtained prior an analysis. It is deemed to be experiential whereas its opposite - a priori is deemed to be universal.
How does A Posteriori Work?
As knowledge gained after the analysis of an issue, it is understood to be synonymous with knowledge acquired via experience. In philosophy, a posteriori refers to the type of knowledge acquired through experience and the analysis of facts. In this regard, it derives from inductive reasoning. It is very much unlike a priori, which is knowledge gained purely on reason and does not require the validation through experience. Plainly stated, a posteriori requires experiences in order to be valid. Postulation made a posteriori are generally supported by anecdotal and empirical evidence. For instance: Some people are tall is an a posteriori statement validated by the experience of encountering individuals that exceed what you perceive to be the average height.