adjective
brute
Existing as a basic fact without further explanation.
The philosopher calls the universe's existence a brute fact.
Etymology
The Latin adjective includes the idea of being without reason. A brute fact extends that lack of reason to explanation: it is accepted as given without a further account of why it holds.
More examples
- That assumption remained a brute starting point.
- The argument stopped at a brute reality.
- They debated whether the principle was a brute fact or needed explanation.
Forms
brute
Similar words
- basic
- Does not necessarily mean lacking any further explanation.
- fundamental
- Fundamental means foundational, not necessarily unexplained by further reasons.