a fortiori
A fortiori refers to an argument based on an even stronger previous argument. In Latin, the term literally means ‘ from [the] stronger .’
The argument implies that if the first is true, the second is even more likely to be true.
For example: "If an elephant cannot fit into the room, then a fortiori , it cannot fit through the door.” This argument relies on the assumption that the elephant being too big to fit into the entire room, it is even less likely that the elephant would be able to fit through the presumably smaller entrance to that room.
An argument a fortiori may be rebutted by challenging whether such a conclusion can truly be drawn from the stronger argument.
For example: In Richmond v. J.A. Croson Co. , the Court held “that Congress may identify and redress the effects of society-wide discrimination does not mean that, a fortiori, the States and their political subdivisions are free to decide that such remedies are appropriate.”
[Last reviewed in November of 2024 by the Wex Definitions Team ]
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