A Priori Meaning – Definition & Synonyms
A priori is a Latin phrase that means “of the above. ” The expression is used to demonstrate something that goes from its cause to its effect. It also refers to what is done prior to reflecting on the matter in question. An example that we can use to be able to perfectly understand the Latin phrase that concerns us now could be the following: “Despite what the media had reported about the detainees, the judge was clear that he could not and should not judge the case a priori. ”
Regarding this meaning, it must be made clear that whenever this term is discussed, its antonym inevitably comes to mind: a posteriori. A sentence that can help us compare and see the difference that exists between both phrases would be this: “The best and most fair thing is to analyze and study the case in question and thus draw all the conclusions a posteriori. ”
A priori knowledge
It is possible to establish a distinction between a priori knowledge (which, according to the philosopher Immanuel Kant, is necessarily universal and true because it does not depend on experience) and a posteriori knowledge (that which is developed empirically). .
A priori propositions, therefore, are necessary. Direct demonstrations in mathematics, for example, belong to this type of utterance. In this way, a priori knowledge allows us to anticipate a fact or some of its properties or characteristics.
Different philosophical views
For scholastic philosophy, a priori propositions appear linked to ontology and are equivalent to what precedes according to the causal organization. According to Kant, all empirical knowledge is tied to a priori conditions, which he calls transcendental. Since it cannot be verified empirically, reason is the basis of this type of knowledge.
René Descartes, for his part, pointed out that reason has independence from experience. This implies that there is knowledge that is innate (that is, a priori), as he explained with his famous phrase “Cogito, ergo sum” ( “I think, therefore I am” ).
Synthetic a priori judgments, likewise, are those linked to logic (such as “going up” ). On the other hand, a posteriori judgments are empirical and only valid for particular cases, since they are verified with experience ( “The women of Buenos Aires talk more than the men” ).
A Priori theater company
In addition to everything mentioned above, we can establish, in the same way, that the term in question is used as the name of a theater management company that began its journey at the end of the 90s under the orders of Joseba García, a member of the Compañía Fuegos Fatuos, and Julio Perugorría, a professional in the theatrical world with extensive experience in it.
The children’s show “Cáscaras” (2010) by Jorge Padín, Tirso de Molina’s adaptation “La jealousa de sis” (2009) by Juanma Navas, “Casi Romeo y Julieta” (2007) by Marta Torres and “La Dama Duende” ” (2005) also by Marta Torres are some of the theater productions that this A Priori company has developed throughout its professional career.