what is does a fortiori possible mean?
  • KantDane21
    47
    what does it mean if something is a fortiori possible?
    and if something is not a fortiori possible?
    I see the later as meaning simply that something may not be the case (in the future).
    e.g., Tomorrow it will snow is not a fortiori possible.
    Reading a paper on contingency and necessity...it has got me slightly confused...
    KantDane21 Options
  • universeness
    6.3k
    The following from:
    https://www.gotquestions.org/a-priori-posteriori-fortiori.html
    may help:

    A much less-commonly used term, a fortiori, describes something related to a priori knowledge but not exactly the same. The term a fortiori means “from the stronger,” and it refers to arguments that seek to prove a “smaller” point by appealing to an already-proven “larger” point. For instance, if a man says he can afford to spend $100, we assume he can afford to spend $10. If drinking one sip of a liquid is fatal, we assume drinking an entire cup is also fatal. If a man can hold his breath underwater for three minutes, we assume he’s able to hold his breath for one minute. If it’s considered a sin to punch someone, we assume stabbing him would also be sinful.

    When we argue a specific point based on some larger or broader established idea, we are using a fortiori arguments. In common dialogue, we often use phrases such as “even more so” or “all the more.” This is, in general terms, an appeal to a fortiori logic, and the examples given might all be framed using that kind of language.

    Technically speaking, a fortiori arguments are not ironclad to the same extent as truly a priori statements. In the prior examples, if the man in question had been given a signed check for $100 by a friend, he might only be able to spend exactly $100. In other words, it’s logically possible that he can “afford” to spend $100, but not $10, since he has no other money. So, while a fortiori arguments are reasonable, they are not logically absolute, so they are not truly a priori

    So based on the examples given:
    If a man can afford to spend $100 then we assume he can afford to spend $10 is a fortiori possible.
    If a man can afford to spend $100 then it is not 'a fortiori' possible that he can afford to spend greater than $100
    universeness Options
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