Written by: A.P. Martinich Last Updated
Alternate title: gnosiology

A priori and a posteriori knowledge

Since at least the 17th century, a sharp distinction has been drawn between a priori knowledge and a posteriori knowledge. The distinction plays an especially important role in the work of David Hume (1711–76) and Immanuel Kant (1724–1804).

The distinction is easily illustrated by means of examples. Assume that the sentence “All Model T Fords are black” is true and compare it to the true sentence “All husbands are married.” How would one come to know that these sentences are true? In the case of the second sentence, the answer is that one knows ... (100 of 25,105 words)

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