On A Fortiori Arguments

Abstract

In the continental European tradition, a fortiori is usually regarded as an interpretation method of legal provisions. When interpreting a legal provision, the interpreter ought to achieve its meaning by extending its literal meaning via an a fortiori reasoning.
A fortiori arguments intend to draw conclusions from propositions deemed stronger. There are two types of a fortiori arguments, usually named as a maiore ad minus and a minore ad maius. Translated from Latin, the first one means from greater to less, and the second one means from lesser to greater.

Keywords: a fortiori, argument

JEL Classification: k10, k30, k39