Self-evident

Self-evident describes a proposition or truth that is considered to be obvious and requiring no further proof or explanation. It's a concept widely used in philosophy, logic, and legal discourse to identify fundamental truths that are intuitively understood or are immediately clear from their inherent nature or statement. These truths often serve as the basis for further reasoning or argumentation, forming a foundation upon which other ideas are built.

Self-evident meaning with examples

• The Declaration of Independence famously states that 'all men are created equal' is a self-evident truth. This assertion was presented as a foundational principle, requiring no further justification to justify the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all humans.
• In geometry, certain axioms, such as the statement that a straight line is the shortest distance between two points, are often considered self-evident. These fundamental truths underpin geometrical proofs and are taken as starting points.
• One might argue that the inherent value of human life is a self-evident concept, despite any philosophical disagreement. The simple observation of human suffering and joy provides the basis for acknowledging this value.
• After the witness's testimony, the defendant's guilt became self-evident to the jury; there was no reasonable doubt because his lies were obvious, with all circumstantial evidence pointing to his action.