公理

• Reading: こうり
• Romaji: kouri
• Kanji breakdown: 公 (kō) — public, common; 理 (ri) — reason, principle
• Pronunciation: /koː.ɾi/

Meaning

Axiom; maxim; a self-evident truth accepted as a foundation for reasoning.

A noun used in mathematics, philosophy, and logic to describe a statement accepted as true without proof, serving as a starting point for further reasoning. In everyday usage, can refer to any universally accepted principle or self-evident truth. Common in academic and intellectual discourse.

Examples

1. 数学ではいくつかの公理をもとに定理を証明していく。 In mathematics, theorems are proved based on a set of axioms.
2. 民主主義の公理として言論の自由がある。 Freedom of speech is an axiom of democracy.
3. この理論は基本的な公理から出発している。 This theory starts from basic axioms.

Usage Guide

Context: mathematics, philosophy, logic

Tone: academic

Origin & History

Compound of 公 (public, common) + 理 (reason, principle). Together they describe a principle so universally reasonable that it is publicly accepted without dispute.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical

Generation: Students and scholars

Social background: Educated