Latin Phrases Of Philosophy

Question 1

What does Ignoratio elenchi mean?

Answer 1

A logical fallacy which consists in apparently refuting an opponent while actually disproving something not asserted (missing the point)

Question 2

A Priori Knowledge

Answer 2

Knowledge acquired independent of any particular experience (math, tautologies, deduction from pure reason)

Question 3

Posteriori knowledge

Answer 3

Empirical experience based knowledge (I know the sun will set this evening because I have always seen it do so)

Question 4

Prima facie

Answer 4

Latin for “at first look”; means that something has presented sufficient evidence to be accepted as true until proven otherwise

Question 5

Momento Mori, momento vivere

Answer 5

Remember that you have to die, remember to live

Question 6

Summum bonum

Answer 6

The highest/ultimate good

Question 7

Nota bene

Answer 7

observe carefully or take special notice (Latin for note well)

Question 8

Ad majorem dei gloriam

Answer 8

For the greater glory of god

Question 9

Aliis laetus, sibi sapiens

Answer 9

Cheerful for others, wise for himself

Question 10

Causa finalis

Answer 10

Final cause

Question 11

Amor fati

Answer 11

Love of fate

Question 12

Teleo

Answer 12

Prefix: end, goal

Question 13

Video meliora proboque deteriora sequor

Answer 13

I see the better way and approve it, but I follow the worse way

Question 14

Prima quæ vitam dedit hora, carpit

Answer 14

the hour that gives us life begins to take it away

Question 15

Nascentes morimur

Answer 15

From the moment we are born, we begin to die

Question 16

Alea iacta est

Answer 16

The die is cast

Question 17

Quod erat demonstrandum

Answer 17

Which was to be demonstrated

Question 18

Locus classicus

Answer 18

A passage considered to be the best known or most authoritative on a particular subject