synthetic truth

[/sɪnˈθɛtɪk truːθ/]
nounpl: synthetic truths
verdade sintética
1. A statement or proposition whose truth value depends on empirical facts and cannot be determined by analysis of the terms alone; a truth that requires experience or observation to verify
The statement 'water boils at 100 degrees Celsius' is a synthetic truth because it requires empirical observation to verify.
A declaração 'a água ferve a 100 graus Celsius' é uma verdade sintética porque requer observação empírica para ser verificada.
2. In philosophy (Kantian), a judgment that adds new information beyond what is contained in the subject concept
Kant argued that 'the sun will rise tomorrow' is a synthetic truth requiring experience to validate.
Kant argumentou que 'o sol nascerá amanhã' é uma verdade sintética que requer experiência para ser validada.
This is a specialized philosophical term rooted in 18th-century European philosophy, particularly Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason. The distinction between synthetic and analytic truths remains central to philosophy of language and epistemology curricula in both English and Portuguese-speaking universities. It is rarely used in casual conversation but is fundamental to academic discourse.
Synonyms / Sinônimos
empirical truthcontingent trutha posteriori truth
Antonyms / Antônimos
analytic truthtautologynecessary truth

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
verdade sintética
Standard philosophical term used in universities and academic discourse
Portugal
verdade sintética
Same usage as Brazil; consistent philosophical terminology across Portuguese-speaking academia
USA
synthetic truth
Common in academic philosophy, particularly in Kantian studies and epistemology courses

Related Words

a posterioriempiricismKantanalytic propositioncontingency

Related Idioms & Phrases

synthetic a priori truth (a Kantian paradox combining synthetic with a priori)
true by experience rather than by definition
Look up more words on Fala2Me
The free English-Portuguese dictionary with real Brazilian accents, NYC slang, conjugator and more
Open Fala2Me →