to be true, but need not be so

[GoodTaste]

Does "but need not be so" mean "but need not be generally acceptedto be true (because an axiom is self-evident"?


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axiom:
a statement or principle that is generally accepted to be true, but need not be so.


Source: Cambridge Dictionary

 

[tedmc]

I think "generally" means " in most cases but not all cases".
So "need not be so" means "there are exceptions".

 

[Matthew Wai]

I take 'need not be so' to mean 'need not be true' there.

 

[GoodTaste]

Which explanation is more accurate? I noticed that Rover_KE liked both answers. I am inclined to the last one.

 

[Amelot]

Does "but need not be so" mean "but need not be generally acceptedto be true (because an axiom is self-evident"?


-------------------
axiom:
a statement or principle that is generally accepted to be true, but need not be so.


Source: Cambridge Dictionary

"But need not be so" means the statement or principle can be false and still be an axiom. "Generally accepted" normally means that almost everyone accepts it.

Not a teacher.

 

[Matthew Wai]

"But need not be so" means the statement or principle can be false

It can be false because it need not be true.