ceteris paribus
Meaning. Other things being equal.
A phrase used to isolate one factor in an argument by assuming that everything else stays the same. Economists use it constantly; lawyers use it when comparing claims, remedies or interpretations.
It is not a rule of law and carries no authority of its own. It is a way of framing a comparison: “ceteris paribus, the earlier equity prevails” means that when nothing else separates the two claims, priority in time decides. In an answer, use it only where you can say what the other things are and why they are equal; otherwise the phrase hides a gap in the reasoning.
Example
Ceteris paribus, the court will prefer the interpretation that keeps the provision workable over one that makes it a dead letter.
See also
qui prior est tempore potior est jure · pari passu
Read more in the study notes
- Managerial economics: definition, nature, scope and role (Managerial Economics)
- Demand: meaning, determinants, demand function and types of demand (Managerial Economics)
- Micro and macro economics, uses and limitations, statics and dynamics (Micro Economics)
- Law of demand: exceptions, changes in demand and determinants (Micro Economics)
- Law of supply, supply function and elasticity of supply (Micro Economics)
- Basic concepts: goods, utility, wants, demand, supply, economic laws, micro and macro (Principles of Economics)