Philosophy / Unit 2 Philosophy 0065 short lesson, about 20 seconds
A Priori and A Posteriori
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The idea
A priori knowledge is justified independently of experience; a posteriori knowledge is justified by experience. The distinction concerns justification, not how concepts were learned.
In practice
"Seven plus five equals twelve"—a priori. "The kettle is boiling"—a posteriori.
Where people slip
You needed experience to learn the numerals. That does not make arithmetic a posteriori—check where the justification comes from.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
Builds on
Unlocks
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