a brute fact

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a brute fact" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in philosophical discussions to refer to a fact that is accepted as true without needing further justification or explanation. Example: "The existence of gravity is often considered a brute fact of the universe that we must accept."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

That can simply be a brute fact about one's psychology.

The New York Times

A joke accepts the target of its critique as a brute fact of life.

The New York Times

It accepts the target of its critique as a brute fact of life.

The New York Times

Even the experience of suffering is never merely a brute fact for us as human beings but an experience we understand and respond to in light of what matters to us.

Yale University

The Washington consensus reigned supreme: persuade governments to put on "the golden straitjacket", in Tom Friedman's phrase, and prosperity would follow.Today big government is back with a vengeance: not just as a brute fact, but as a vigorous ideology.

The Economist

Pialat is an obstinately worldly director who films a miracle as he'd film a bad romance, a shattered family, or a criminal plot, as a brute fact that unleashes its energy without winning his assent.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

If Ed does run, so that the proposition is true, it is just a basic, brute fact that the proposition is true.

SEP

For human beings, therefore, given our epistemological limits, the existence of this world must be treated as a basic brute fact that is incapable (for us) of further explanation.

SEP

Perhaps it would also be an undesirable brute fact if (per impossibile) a maximal world with fewer objects than the actual world existed; what would explain God's realization of a smaller maximal collection when a larger maximal collection is possible (see Ip33s2)?

SEP

No substantive answer is forthcoming; it would have to be taken as an inexplicable brute fact.

SEP

Among these adequate explanations of why this actual world obtains rather than another possible world (including one with no contingent beings) is that the universe is an inexplicable brute fact and that God strongly actualized the world (although not everything in it).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a brute fact", ensure the context makes it clear that the fact is being presented as something fundamental and not requiring further explanation. This is especially relevant in philosophical or scientific discussions.

Common error

Avoid attempting to justify or explain "a brute fact" excessively. The very nature of the phrase implies it's a foundational truth, and over-explaining can weaken its impact and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a brute fact" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject complement or appositive. It identifies something as a basic, unexplainable element of reality or experience. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

31%

Encyclopedias

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a brute fact" is a noun phrase used to describe a fundamental, irreducible truth, often in philosophical and scientific contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound. While not exceedingly common, it appears most frequently in academic and news sources. When employing this phrase, ensure clarity about the intended meaning and avoid unnecessary attempts at further explanation. Alternatives like "an undeniable truth" or "a fundamental truth" can provide similar semantic weight with slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

an undeniable truth

Emphasizes the impossibility of denying the fact.

an unexplainable reality

Highlights the lack of a clear explanation for the fact.

a fundamental truth

Suggests that the fact is a basic principle.

an irreducible fact

Indicates the fact cannot be simplified or broken down further.

a basic given

Presents the fact as something that must be accepted without question.

a hard reality

Focuses on the difficult or unpleasant nature of the fact.

an inescapable conclusion

Highlights the inevitability of the fact.

a plain fact

Emphasizes the obviousness of the fact.

an ultimate fact

Suggests that the fact is a final or foundational truth.

an unexplained phenomenon

Highlights the lack of a known cause for the fact.

FAQs

How is "a brute fact" typically used in philosophical discussions?

In philosophy, "a brute fact" refers to something that is accepted as true without further explanation or justification. It is a fundamental premise upon which arguments or theories may be built.

What are some synonyms for "a brute fact"?

Alternatives include "an undeniable truth", "an unexplainable reality", or "a fundamental truth", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a brute fact" the same as a self-evident truth?

While both imply a lack of need for justification, "a brute fact" often suggests a more fundamental and potentially inexplicable reality, whereas a self-evident truth is usually considered obvious and immediately apparent.

Can "a brute fact" be disproven or challenged?

While technically possible, challenging "a brute fact" requires a significant shift in understanding or the introduction of new evidence that fundamentally alters the established premise. Doing so often involves complex philosophical or scientific debate.