WORD OF THE DAY
A priori literally means "from before." If you know how many red, white, and blue gum balls are in the gum ball machine, this a priori knowledge can help you predict the color of the next ones to be dispensed.
In Latin a priori means “what comes first.” A priori understandings are the assumptions that come before the rest of the assessment, argument, or analysis. If you are making an argument that pre-school children who are read to at home by family members come to school better prepared to learn, the a priori understanding is that children learn by hearing before they are able to read.
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Vocabulary lists containing a priori
If metaphysics is all Greek to you, review this list of terms related to ancient philosophy. You'll learn about ethics, logic, and the most important philosophical schools of thought, as well as classical philosophers from Aristotle to Zeno.
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In this satirical French novella, a wide-eyed optimist gradually becomes disillusioned. Learn these words from the Modern Library translation.
Journalist Malcolm Gladwell explores how people process information in order to make snap decisions.
In this Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Jared Diamond explores how geographical, biological, and environmental factors shaped the development of human societies.
