a posteriori
1
9.3
- adjective
- /eɪ pəˈstɪəriˌɔɪ/
- Formal
:
a posteriori
- So when can a posteriori propositions about factual matters be asserted on purely philosophical grounds?
Examples
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This is not observed, so the prediction of existence can be safely rejected a posteriori.
Blog text (27) -
Yet making "good governance" more than an a posteriori rationalization is difficult, as neoliberal political theorists are discovering.
Academic text (1998) -
So what about a posteriori by way of experience?
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And that value is called the maximum a posteriori probability estimate.
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Digging up our pre-rational beliefs and applying skepticism a posteriori is a difficult task, so be patient.
Blog text (9) -
An a posteriori analysis confirmed this relationship: t(224) = 2.41, p = .009, r = .16.
Academic text (2002) -
The Bayesian approach has the advantage of assigning a posteriori probabilities that a given individual of interest, such as one possessing the transgene, belongs to a given genealogical class.
Academic text (2008) -
One indicator that Dubliners seems to be particularly at odds with certainties can also be demonstrated a posteriori by pointing out the sheer contradictory diversity of existing critical interpretations, which, with respect to some characters, situations, and events, or even entire stories, are mind-boggling.
Academic text (1991) -
The scientist drew conclusions based on a posteriori evidence collected during the experiment.
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Her understanding of the theory was enriched by a posteriori observations made in the field.
Synonyms
62
5.9
Based on what you see or experience rather than on ideas
27
5.0
Based on watching people or events rather than on ideas
15
6.0
In a way that uses observation or experience rather than theory
Antonyms
Surface Forms
Morphology
a + posteriori
This is a Latin loanphrase whose parts are not transparent English constituents: 'a' is an English article but 'posteriori' is not a common English word a B1 learner would know, so the meaning ('based on experience') cannot be derived from the parts. Although the phrase appears in many languages and in academic contexts, its technical epistemological sense is not predictable for an average B1 learner who only 'knows the words'.
Etymology
A posteriori literally means 'from what comes after' and gives the simple image of learning after you have seen what happened. So, a posteriori is used to say an idea or judgement is based 'on experience' or 'after observing facts'.