itsestäänselvyyksiä

Itsestäänselvyyksiä are statements or facts that are considered obvious or self-evident. In Finnish, the term literally translates to "self-evident things." These are propositions that are so clear and readily apparent that they require no proof or explanation. The concept of self-evidence is often associated with logical truths, basic principles, or widely accepted common knowledge.

The recognition of an itsestäänselvyys can depend on context and individual understanding. What one person considers obvious, another might not. However, generally, these are propositions that are assumed to be true by a given group or within a particular framework of thought. For instance, "all bachelors are unmarried men" is a classic example of an itsestäänselvyys based on the definition of the word "bachelor."

In philosophical discourse, the idea of self-evidence plays a role in foundationalism, a theory of knowledge that holds that beliefs are justified if they are basic or foundational. These foundational beliefs are often considered to be self-evident, serving as the bedrock upon which other knowledge is built. The concept can also appear in everyday language when someone states something with an air of certainty, implying that it should be clear to everyone.