Explicitieve

Explicitieve is a proposed term in discourse theory for a strategy that foregrounds the explicit revelation of the inferential steps and evidential basis behind a claim. As an analytical category, explicitieve identifies passages where a speaker not only asserts a conclusion but also enumerates the premises, data sources, and confidence levels that support it, making the argumentative process itself visible within the discourse.

Etymology and usage: The term blends explicit with the suffix -ive. It emerged in the early 2020s within scholarly discussions of explainability, epistemic transparency, and rhetoric, particularly in online forums and niche journals. It has not achieved wide formal adoption and remains a specialized label in debates about reasoning and communication.

Definition and scope: Explicitieve can function as an adjective (explicitieve reasoning) or as a noun (an explicitieve passage). It is distinguished from mere explicatory content by its emphasis on surfacing the chain of inference. It also differs from explicitation in translation studies by prioritizing the cognitive trace of inference as a discourse feature, rather than simply rendering implicit information explicit in translation.

Examples: A passage that ends with “Premise 1: X; Premise 2: Y; Therefore, Z” embodies explicitieve, provided the author intends to reveal the steps of reasoning. In contrast, a concluding statement that presents only the result without the stated premises would not be explicitieve.

Criticism: Some critics argue that explicitieve passages can be verbose or reveal private reasoning, potentially increasing cognitive load on readers or undermining perceived credibility if the premises are controversial or opaque. See also explicitation, explainable AI, and argumentation theory.