Counterfactual

Pronunciation

• Canada IPA: /ËŒkaÊŠntɚˈfæktʃuÉ™l/
• UK IPA: /ËŒkaÊŠn.tÉ™(ɹ)ˈfæk.tʃu.É™l/

Origin

- + factual

Adjective

adjective

1. Contrary to the facts; untrue.

Full definition of counterfactual

Noun

1. A claim, hypothesis, or other belief that is contrary to the facts.
2. (philosophy) A conditional statement in which the conditional clause is false, as "If I had arrived on time . . ."."counterfactual" in A Dictionary of Philosophical Terms and Names (Garth Kemerling, 1997-2002)Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary (1987-1996)
• 1952, B. J. Diggs, "VI.—Counterfactual Conditionals," Mind, vol. 61, no. 244, page 513:In recent years there has been increasing discussion of the "problem of counterfactuals". One way of formulating this problem is as follows: "What is meant when one asserts a conditional statement, the antecedent of which is contrary to fact?"