synthetic statement

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "synthetic statement" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in philosophical and logical discussions to refer to a statement that is not true by definition and requires empirical verification. Example: "The claim that all swans are white is a synthetic statement, as it can be proven false by observing a black swan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

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Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

To determine whether a synthetic statement is meaningful, the Vienna Circle developed a verifiability theory of meaning, which proposed that for a synthetic statement to have cognitive meaning, its truthfulness must be empirically verifiable.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

To deny the distinction between analytic and synthetic statements meant that nothing could be known independent of experience.

The New York Times - Arts

Analytic-synthetic distinction, In both logic and epistemology, the distinction (derived from Immanuel Kant) between statements whose predicate is included in the subject (analytic statements) and statements whose predicate is not included in the subject (synthetic statements).

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his seminal Two Dogmas Of Empiricism, however, Quine declared it "folly to seek a boundary between synthetic statements, which hold contingently on experience, and analytic statements, which hold come what may".

The Guardian

According to this theory, synthetic statements—statements that are not true, or false, merely by virtue of the meanings of their terms ("All bachelors are unmarried")—are cognitively meaningful only if they are empirically verifiable, at least in principle.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In his 1950 essay "Two Dogmas of Empiricism," Quine launched an attack upon the traditional distinction between analytic statements, which were said to be true by virtue of the meanings of the terms they contain, and synthetic statements, which were supposed to be true (or false) by virtue of certain facts about the world.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In the first place, Quine rejected the distinction between "analytic" statements, whose truth or falsity depends upon the meaning of the terms involved (e.g., "All bachelors are unmarried"), and "synthetic" statements, whose truth or falsity is a matter of empirical and observable fact (e.g., "It is raining here now").

Encyclopedia Britannica

To distinguish between analytic and synthetic statements in the theoretical language Carnap made the following proposal.

SEP

The synthetic statements of the empirical sciences meanwhile were held to be cognitively meaningful if and only if they were empirically testable in some sense.

SEP

Roughly, if synthetic statements failed testability in principle they were considered to be cognitively meaningless and to give rise only to pseudo-problems.

SEP

No third category of significance besides that of a priori analytical and a posteriori synthetic statements was admitted: in particular, Kant's synthetic a priori was banned as having been refuted by the progress of science itself.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When distinguishing between types of statements, clarify if you are adhering to a particular philosophical framework (e.g., Kantian, Logical Positivist) as the definition of "synthetic statement" can vary.

Common error

Avoid assuming that a "synthetic statement" is inherently false or unreliable. The term simply indicates that the statement's truth requires verification beyond mere definition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "synthetic statement" functions as a noun phrase, typically used as a subject or object within a philosophical or logical discussion. It identifies a specific type of assertion whose truth depends on empirical verification, as indicated by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

35%

News & Media

25%

Encyclopedias

20%

Less common in

Wiki

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, a "synthetic statement" is a statement that requires empirical evidence to determine its truth. This term is most often encountered in philosophy, logic, and scientific discussions. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. It's essential to distinguish it from analytic statements, which are true by definition. When using "synthetic statement", be clear about the philosophical framework you are operating within. Common alternative terms include "empirical statement" or "factual statement", although the best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

synthetic proposition

Keeps "synthetic" but changes "statement" to "proposition", providing a more formal alternative.

synthetic claim

Keeps "synthetic" but changes "statement" to "claim", a slightly less formal alternative.

constructed proposition

Replaces "synthetic" with "constructed" and "statement" with "proposition", focusing on the deliberate building of the idea.

formulated claim

Uses "formulated" instead of "synthetic" and "claim" instead of "statement", pointing to a carefully created statement.

artificial declaration

Replaces "synthetic" with "artificial" and "statement" with "declaration", emphasizing the constructed nature of the statement.

artificially created statement

Replaces "synthetic" with the phrase "artificially created" for emphasis.

fabricated assertion

Substitutes "synthetic" with "fabricated" and "statement" with "assertion", highlighting the artificiality and potentially questioning its validity.

manufactured affirmation

Emphasizes the artificial creation of the statement using "manufactured" instead of "synthetic" and "affirmation" instead of "statement".

simulated expression

Replaces "synthetic" with "simulated" and "statement" with "expression", suggesting a resemblance to a real statement but lacking authenticity.

non-natural pronouncement

Highlights the non-natural origin of the statement using "non-natural" instead of "synthetic" and "pronouncement" instead of "statement".

FAQs

What is the difference between a "synthetic statement" and an analytic statement?

A "synthetic statement" is true or false based on facts about the world, requiring empirical evidence for verification. An analytic statement is true by definition, its truth being self-contained within the meanings of its terms, like "All bachelors are unmarried."

How is a "synthetic statement" used in philosophy?

In philosophy, a "synthetic statement" is contrasted with analytic statements. Philosophers use this distinction to analyze the nature of knowledge, truth, and how we gain understanding of the world through experience.

What are some examples of "synthetic statement"?

Examples of "synthetic statements" include "The sun rises in the east" and "Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius". These statements require observation and experimentation to confirm their truth.

What is an alternative to the term "synthetic statement"?

Depending on the context, alternatives to "synthetic statement" might include "empirical statement" or "factual statement". These emphasize the reliance on observation and evidence.