Apodictic
Adjective
- Clearly established or beyond dispute.
Example Sentences
“The head surgeon has an apodictic knowledge of human anatomy.”
“I can claim apodictic abilities in electrical engineering once I receive my certification.”
“Religious texts are often full of what used to be considered apodictic commands.”
Word Origin
Greek, mid-17th century
Why this word?
This word comes from the Greek “apodeiktikos,” meaning “to show off, demonstrate.” Theologians often discuss two different kinds of law: apodictic and casuistic. Apodictic law is comprised of absolute commands often rendered from a higher power, such as the Ten Commandments. By contrast, casuistic law (also known as case law) is based on precedents and often uses conditional “if/then” statements to determine right and wrong in specific situations.