![]() Retrospect contains a Latin root meaning 'look at'. Next let's dissect them, to see if that difference is consistent. Immediately we begin to sense a greater gap, we might use retrospect and hindsight very similarly, but we use 'look forward' and 'foresight' very differently. The inverse of retrospect would be 'look forward', while the inverse of hindsight is 'foresight'. Obviously both convey they concept of looking backwards, however it's meaningful that one contains a verb and the other doesn't. In answer to your question, to use retrospect in place of hindsight will typically lose important meaning, while replacing retrospect with hindsight will often add unintended semantics. I would argue that the need to add "In" - to create contrast between the situation with reference to the past as opposed to that without such reference - only emphasises the fact that "retrospect" by itself does not imply hindsight. Its inclusion in a sentence indicates that things would be/seem different if the past were not being considered. Note that the phrase " In retrospect" does strongly imply hindsight. Any fresh evaluation would depend upon the intention and perceptiveness of the actor - it is not automatically implicit. Consideration is mentioned in places but reconsideration is not. In contrast, the definitions of retrospect refer simply to the act of looking back. That is the essential nature of hindsight. The definitions of hindsight stress the new (changed/superior/matured) perspective gained after the event. noun: the knowledge and understanding that you have about an event only after it has happened (Merriam-Webster) wisdom after the event (Oxford American Dictionary) knowledge based on experience (Funk & Wagnall).verb (transitive): to go back over in thought (Merriam-Webster) To consider or revert back to the past of (Funk & Wagnall).verb (intransitive): to refer back, to reflect (Merriam-Webster) to look back, to consider the past (Funk & Wagnall).(Oxford American Dictionary) a view or contemplation of something past also, that which is contemplated. regard or reference to precedent or authority, or to previous conditions. Some dictionary definitions to clarify the difference: ![]() A sentence containing the phrase "in retrospect" often describes a new appraisal of the past time or event but I would not say it is essential. Retrospection can confer hindsight, but it is not part of the definition. ![]() Hindsight is a perspective on the past in which understanding has been gained which was unavailable to the observer at the time in question. Retrospect is simply looking back at the past.
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