analytic/synthetic

analytic/synthetic
A contrast originally introduced by Kant between types of proposition. An analytic proposition is one where the concept of the predicate is ‘contained in’ the concept of the subject. ‘All brothers are male’ is an example. A synthetic proposition is one where this is not so, and which is therefore apt for providing substantial information. Kant's definition is only preliminary, in that not all propositions are of subject– predicate form, and the notion of ‘containment’ is left metaphorical. But his goal of defining a class of propositions that are importantly trivial can be pursued in ways drawing on modern logic. Thus we might define a proposition to be analytic if it has the form of a tautology, or valid formula of elementary logic, or can be represented as having that form by substitution of synonyms for synonyms. For example, if we substititue ‘male and sibling’ for ‘brother’, then ‘all brothers are male’ is of the form ‘all things that are F and G are F’, and this is a valid formula of the predicate calculus . The point of Kant's division is that we might not be too disturbed, philosophically, if everything that can be known a priori is analytic: analytic truths are so trivial as barely to count as knowledge at all. But if we can know synthetic propositions a priori the question of how such knowledge is possible becomes urgent. Part of the programme of logical positivism was to show that all a priori propositions are, at bottom, analytic. The entire distinction was queried in one of the most famous papers of modern philosophy, Quine's ‘Two Dogmas of Empiricism’ (1950), which attacks the idea that we have a reasonable criterion for synonymy, on which the definition depends.

Philosophy dictionary. . 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Analytic-synthetic distinction — The analytic synthetic distinction is a conceptual distinction, used primarily in philosophy to distinguish propositions into two types: analytic propositions and synthetic propositions . Analytic propositions are those which are true simply by… …   Wikipedia

  • analytic-synthetic distinction — In both logic and epistemology, the distinction (derived from Immanuel Kant) between statements whose predicate is included in the subject (analytic statements) and statements whose predicate is not included in the subject (synthetic statements) …   Universalium

  • ANALYTIC-SYNTHETIC DISTINCTION —    a distinction made by KANT between propositions; e.g. All unmarried women are spinsters which is true by definition and My car is red which depends on factual information. The first proposition is said to be ANALYTIC, the second SYNTHETIC.… …   Concise dictionary of Religion

  • Analytic philosophy — (sometimes, analytical philosophy) is a generic term for a style of philosophy that came to dominate English speaking countries in the 20th century. In the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand the overwhelming… …   Wikipedia

  • Analytic apriori — may refer to:*A priori and a posteriori (philosophy) *Analytic synthetic distinction …   Wikipedia

  • analytic — analytic/synthetic analytical philosophy …   Philosophy dictionary

  • analytic proposition —       in logic, a statement or judgment that is necessarily true on purely logical grounds and serves only to elucidate meanings already implicit in the subject; its truth is thus guaranteed by the principle of contradiction. Such propositions… …   Universalium

  • analytic — analytically, adv. /an l it ik/, adj. 1. pertaining to or proceeding by analysis (opposed to synthetic). 2. skilled in or habitually using analysis. 3. (of a language) characterized by a relatively frequent use of function words, auxiliary verbs …   Universalium

  • Synthetic — Synthesis, the combination of two or more parts, whether by design or by natural processes. Furthermore, it may imply being prepared or made artificially, in contrast to naturally. Contents 1 In the sense of combination 2 In the sense of… …   Wikipedia

  • synthetic — See analytic/synthetic …   Philosophy dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”