contingent proposition

[kənˈtɪndʒənt ˌprɒpəˈzɪʃən]
nounfemininepl: proposições contingentes
proposição contingente
1. A proposition in logic that is neither necessarily true nor necessarily false; a statement whose truth value depends on contingent facts about the world
The statement 'It is raining today' is a contingent proposition because it could be true or false depending on actual weather conditions.
A afirmação 'Está chovendo hoje' é uma proposição contingente porque pode ser verdadeira ou falsa dependendo das condições meteorológicas reais.
2. In philosophy and metaphysics, a proposition whose truth is not determined by logic alone but depends on empirical facts or possible worlds
Unlike tautologies, contingent propositions require observation of reality to determine their truth value.
Diferentemente das tautologias, proposições contingentes requerem a observação da realidade para determinar seu valor de verdade.
This term is primarily used in academic and philosophical contexts in both Brazil and Portugal. It is fundamental to logic courses, philosophy departments, and formal semantic studies. The concept originates from classical logic and modal logic philosophy, with deep roots in Aristotelian and Leibnizian thought. Usage is formal and technical, not encountered in everyday conversation.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
synthetic propositionempirical propositionfactual statementa posteriori proposition
Antonyms / Antônimos
necessary propositionanalytic propositiontautologycontradiction

Regional Variations

General Brazilian Portuguese
proposição contingente
Standard academic and philosophical terminology used in Brazilian universities and logic courses
Portugal
proposição contingente
Identical usage in Portuguese philosophy and logic; formal academic context
Academic/International
proposição contingencial
Less common but occasionally used variant in some Brazilian academic circles

Related Words

necessitypossibilitymodal logicpropositionlogical truthsemanticsepistemology

Related Idioms & Phrases

a matter of contingent facts
contingent truth
contingent upon circumstances
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