Ceteris paribus \( = \)... a) all things held together. b) all other things held constant. c) all things held to a higher standard. d) all other things held together.

Ceteris paribus is a Latin phrase that translates to "all other things being equal" or "all other things held constant." It is a foundational concept in economics and the social sciences, allowing researchers to isolate the effects of one variable while holding others steady, much like a controlled experiment in a lab setting. Originally, the phrase emerged from philosophical discussions and was later adopted by economists to simplify complex models. By using ceteris paribus, economists can make clearer predictions about how changes in one factor, like price or supply, can affect demand or market behavior without the noise of other variables interfering in the analysis.