semifactual
nounEtymology From semi- + factual. In the logic sense, introduced by Nelson Goodman.
1
Human sciences, Logic, Mathematics, Philosophy, Sciences A conditional with a false antecedent and a true consequent.
semifactual
adjUK /ˌsɛmiˈfak(t)ʃʊəl/ · US /ˌsɛmaɪˈfækt͡ʃuəl/
Etymology From semi- + factual. In the logic sense, introduced by Nelson Goodman.
1
Only partly factual.
- Suppose you are given the semifactual assertion, "even if Nora had liked mathematics then she would have became^([sic]) a scientist" and then you find out that Nora did in fact become a scientist.2007 January 26, Ruth M. J. Byrne, The Rational Imagination: How People Create Alternatives to Reality, MIT Press, →ISBN, page 140:
- Derived terms
- semifactually