conditions of possibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"conditions of possibility" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an expression used to refer to the specific circumstances that must exist for something to be possible. For example: "These economic conditions of possibility limit the range of options available to us."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

47 human-written examples

Late Enlightenment discourse on aesthetic experience proposes a decisive account of the conditions of possibility for universal human subjecthood.

Stanford University

Her research examines the social and technical conditions of possibility for the systems of biomedicine and biotechnology that we live with today.

Yale University

I argue that the environment's increasingly social character feeds into each author's poetic project, such that environmental transformation grounds a dynamic realism that binds political critique with a broader theoretical reflection on the conditions of possibility for poesy in modernity.

Cornell University

In social and political philosophy, finally, powers theorists are interested in the powers of sociological phenomena such as collectivities, institutions, roles and/or social relations, but also in the conditions of possibility for the cultivation of the powers of individuals.

Stanford University

Concerned most generally with the relationships among scientific practices, social imaginaries and political regimes, she has examined the work of specific historical sciences within the context of their own historical and disciplinary conditions of possibility.

Columbia University

The roles of written and visual accounting techniques in establishing conditions of possibility in modern management decision making are well documented.

Accounting, Organizations and Society

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

But this bodiless entity outside our universe sustains our existence; He is, in Eagleton's words, "the condition of possibility of any entity whatsoever.

The New Yorker

The activity of spiritual self-maintenance should not be conflated with self-preservation, and it is not necessarily conservative, since it is the condition of possibility for all forms of self-transformation.

Yale University

This is the argument that I will deepen here, in showing how finitude is the condition of possibility for both any form of natural life and any form of spiritual life.

Yale University

Natural caring is the condition of possibility for ethical caring.

SEP

A key condition of possibility for contemporary identity politics was institutionalized liberal democracy (Brown 1995).

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "conditions of possibility", ensure you clearly define what specific factors are necessary for the outcome you are discussing. Be precise about the relationship between these conditions and the potential outcome.

Common error

Avoid using "conditions of possibility" in contexts where simpler terms like "requirements" or "prerequisites" would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound unnecessarily complex and obscure your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "conditions of possibility" functions as a noun phrase, often used to describe the necessary circumstances or prerequisites for a particular phenomenon, event, or concept to exist or occur. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Academia

40%

Science

38%

News & Media

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

6%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "conditions of possibility" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term, particularly within academic, scientific, and philosophical discourse. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is suitable for written English and refers to the necessary prerequisites for something to occur or exist. While the phrase is prevalent in formal contexts, it's essential to use it judiciously, ensuring that its level of abstraction is appropriate for the intended audience and that simpler alternatives are considered when clarity is paramount. When employing "conditions of possibility", clear definition and specificity are key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

facilitating conditions

Highlights the conditions that actively promote or ease the way for something to happen.

enabling circumstances

Emphasizes the circumstances that allow something to happen, suggesting a more facilitative role.

essential preconditions

Underscores the prior conditions that are vital for a specific outcome or event.

basis for potentiality

Focuses on the groundwork that allows something to develop or become possible.

prerequisites for existence

Focuses on the necessary preconditions for something to exist, shifting from possibility to actuality.

foundational elements

Emphasizes the base elements that establish the possibility of something, suggesting a strong foundation.

fundamental requirements

Stresses the essential needs that must be met for something to be possible, focusing on necessity.

underlying determinants

Highlights the foundational factors that shape the possibility of an event or phenomenon.

preliminary factors

Highlights factors that come before and prepare the way for something to occur.

necessary ingredients

Uses a metaphorical term, focusing on the key components needed for a certain result.

FAQs

How can I use "conditions of possibility" in a sentence?

The phrase "conditions of possibility" refers to the circumstances that must exist for something to occur. For example, "Understanding the economic "enabling circumstances" is crucial for predicting future market trends".

What are some alternatives to "conditions of possibility"?

Alternatives include "prerequisites for existence", "enabling circumstances", or "fundamental requirements", depending on the context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it always necessary to use the phrase "conditions of possibility"?

No, it's not always necessary. Simpler terms like "requirements", "prerequisites", or "factors" may be more appropriate in many contexts. Use "conditions of possibility" when you specifically want to emphasize the philosophical or theoretical underpinnings of a potential outcome.

What is the difference between "conditions of possibility" and "requirements"?

"Requirements" generally refer to specific, practical needs that must be met. "Conditions of possibility" is a more abstract and philosophical term that refers to the fundamental circumstances that allow something to be conceivable or achievable in the first place.