Legal Definitions - axiom

Definition: An established principle that is universally accepted within a given framework of reasoning or thinking. For example, "innocent until proven guilty" is an age-old axiom of criminal law.

Additional Example: Another example of an axiom is "the whole is greater than the sum of its parts," which is a fundamental principle in the field of Gestalt psychology.

Explanation: An axiom is a statement or principle that is widely accepted as true within a particular field or system of thought. It is considered to be self-evident and does not require proof or justification. The examples given illustrate how axioms are used in different areas of knowledge, such as law and psychology, to establish basic principles that guide reasoning and decision-making.