| − | The term 'a priori' (Latin, "''from what is prior, before''", "''from the beginning''"), when used in reference to knowledge, is, primarily, the idea that awareness, (or consciousness, or sentience), as such, includes a knowledge of things which transcend contingent experience, or more generally in reference to alleged self-evident "[[fact]]s", "[[proposition]]s" or "[[Truth (logic)|truth]]" already implicitly assumed to be true without need for verification ("everyone knows, ''a priori'', that this is so"—"assuming ''a priori'' that this is so, we conclude..."). {{cquote|We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. ''—[[Declaration of Independence]]''}} | + | The term 'a priori' (Latin, "''from what is prior, before''", "''from the beginning''"), when used in reference to knowledge, is, primarily, the idea that awareness, (or consciousness, or sentience), as such, includes a knowledge of things which transcend contingent experience, or more generally in reference to alleged self-evident "[[fact]]s", "[[proposition]]s" or "[[Truth (logic)|truth]]" already implicitly assumed to be true without need for verification ("everyone knows, ''a priori'', that this is so"—"assuming ''a priori'' that this is so, we conclude..."). {{cquote|We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. <br>''— [[Declaration of Independence]]''}}{{cquote|My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me; if any man's will is to do his will, he shall know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. <br>—[[Jesus Christ]], ''[[Bible|The Bible]]'' (John 7:16-17 [[Revised Standard Version|RSV]])}} |
| | A secondary usage of the term 'a priori knowledge' is the idea that awareness, as such, includes a knowledge of some contingencies of denying that which is known ''a priori''. For example, if ''2 plus 2 equal 4'' either is, or is modeled after, a type of ''a priori'' knowledge, then this knowledge would include the knowledge that ''2 plus 2 '''does not''' equal 5''. | | A secondary usage of the term 'a priori knowledge' is the idea that awareness, as such, includes a knowledge of some contingencies of denying that which is known ''a priori''. For example, if ''2 plus 2 equal 4'' either is, or is modeled after, a type of ''a priori'' knowledge, then this knowledge would include the knowledge that ''2 plus 2 '''does not''' equal 5''. |