Meaning

(philosophy) Proceeding by inquiry or investigation..

Definitions by Sense

1. (philosophy) Proceeding by inquiry or investigation.
2. Of or pertaining to zetetic astronomy (which employs zetetic principles to argue that the earth is flat).
3. A skeptic.

Example Sentences

1865, Samuel Birley Rowbotham, Zetetic Astronomy, 2022 facsimile reprint, Salzwasser Verlag, page 6, Hence, in every zetetic process, the conclusion arrived at is essentially a quotient, which, if the details be correct, must, of necessity, be true beyond the reach or power of contradiction.

This^([the assumption that the earth is an extended plain]) is the great central zetetic assumption on which the whole theory is based.

The zetetic approach or, as Kant translates it, the searching approach, becomes the element by means of which the discourse develops, the medium in which philosophical thinking occurs.

1887, Marcellus John Thompson, "Evolution of Sound" Evolved: A Review..., Standard Publishing Company, page xix, But another craze, much similar to Dr. Hall's philosophy, is now running its course among us, namely the Zetetic Philosophy, or the theory that the earth is flat—advocated especially by John Hampden, of England, and William Carpenter, of the United States. These people believe, with Parson Jasper, that "the sun do move."

This^([the assumption that the earth is flat]) is the doctrine held by the Zetetic school of philosophy, which some years ago made quite a stir in England.[…]An active propagandist of Zetetic doctrine is Professor William Carpenter, 71 Chew street, who has been in this country for about five years.

Word Forms

• zetetical
• zetetick
• zetetics

Related Words

When Should You Use Zetetic?

Use zetetic when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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