absolute knowledge

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolute knowledge" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing the concept of complete or total understanding of a subject or phenomenon. Example: "Philosophers have long debated whether absolute knowledge is attainable or merely an ideal."

✓ Grammatically correct

Philosophy

Epistemology

Theology

Politics

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We went into the Belfry in the absolute knowledge that we could win.

The Guardian - Sport

Trappings are traps in this case, and the poem closes in "the sudden absolute knowledge Brad would rather be dead".

The New York Times - Books

They seemed to possess a silent but absolute knowledge of certain issues, but to be totally ignorant about others.

The Guardian

"We all lived with absolute knowledge how strong [Hillary Clinton] was and how unlikely our victory was," he said.

The New Yorker

Greatest of mages, the Muslim Solomon, wise beyond wisdom, thus incarnates an absolute knowledge.

The New York Times - Books

The standard attitude estimator is designed to be optimal with respect to its absolute knowledge error.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

The target is Hegelian philosophy, which takes the achievement of comprehensive, absolute knowledge to be the highest human task.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Lenau and Valéry, in particular, stressed the dangers of seeking absolute knowledge, with its correlative of absolute power.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Renouncing the metaphysical quest for certainty or Hegelian absolute knowledge, Kierkegaard became a self-avowed advocate of subjectivity.

Encyclopedia Britannica

But it is perfectly possible that the world might exist and we could not prove it, let alone be able to obtain absolute knowledge of everything in it.

The Guardian

Some billboards and leaflets are written with exceptional confidence, one promising "the only true teacher of the world," another "the science of absolute knowledge".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolute knowledge" when you want to emphasize the completeness and certainty of information, especially in philosophical or theoretical contexts. For example, "The pursuit of "absolute knowledge" has been a central theme in epistemology."

Common error

Avoid using "absolute knowledge" when referring to everyday situations where complete certainty is impossible. For instance, instead of saying 'I have "absolute knowledge" of what happened', opt for 'I am certain about what happened' or 'I have a clear understanding of what happened'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolute knowledge" functions as a noun phrase, often serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It typically refers to a theoretical concept related to complete and undeniable understanding. Ludwig AI examples showcase its use in philosophical and academic contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

31%

News & Media

29%

Encyclopedias

17%

Less common in

Academia

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "absolute knowledge" is a noun phrase referring to the concept of complete and undeniable understanding. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in philosophical, scientific, and academic discussions. While the phrase is generally used correctly, it's important to reserve it for contexts where complete certainty is a relevant concept, avoiding its use in everyday situations where such certainty is unattainable. Alternatives like "perfect understanding" or "complete certainty" might be more appropriate in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Certain knowledge

Highlights the confident and undoubted nature of the knowledge, rather than it's depth.

Definitive knowledge

Stresses the conclusive and unquestionable nature of the information, rather than the overall scope of understanding.

Perfect understanding

Emphasizes the completeness and flawlessness of understanding, rather than the certainty or totality of knowledge itself.

Comprehensive grasp

Highlights a thorough and extensive understanding, focusing on comprehension rather than factual certainty.

Complete certainty

Focuses on the absence of doubt, rather than the breadth of information possessed.

Infallible understanding

Emphasizes the error-free quality of comprehension rather than the scope of knowledge.

Total awareness

Highlights the all-encompassing nature of perception and consciousness, differing slightly from factual knowledge.

Unquestionable truth

Emphasizes the verifiability and certainty of a claim, differing from the breadth of understanding implied by "absolute knowledge".

Omniscience

Refers to the capacity to know everything, often attributed to divine beings, suggesting a supernatural scope beyond human capability.

Ultimate wisdom

Indicates a profound understanding of life and existence, focusing on discernment and insight rather than factual information.

FAQs

How is "absolute knowledge" used in philosophy?

In philosophy, "absolute knowledge" often refers to the concept of complete and perfect understanding, especially as discussed in epistemology and metaphysics. It is frequently debated whether such knowledge is attainable by humans.

What is an alternative to "absolute knowledge"?

Alternatives to "absolute knowledge" include "perfect understanding", "complete certainty", or "total awareness", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "absolute knowledge" in everyday conversations?

While grammatically correct, "absolute knowledge" is more suited to formal or academic discussions. In everyday conversations, phrases like "certainty" or "complete understanding" might be more appropriate.

How does "absolute knowledge" differ from "relative knowledge"?

"Absolute knowledge" implies a complete and unquestionable understanding, whereas "relative knowledge" suggests understanding that is dependent on context, perspective, or individual interpretation. You can see how to use "relative knowledge" in a sentence here.