We explain what something arbitrary is and what the origin of the term is. In addition, we tell you what meanings it can have, with various examples.
What is something arbitrary?
something arbitrary It is something determined by whim, by free will, that is, something that does not respond to logic, law or reason.but to someone's manifest will. Thus, when it is stated that a decision is arbitrary, for example, it is being said that it was motivated by someone's desire and not because it is the result of a series of conditions or considerations that force it to be taken.
The words “arbitrary” and “arbitrariness” come from Latin arbitrariuswhich translates as “uncertain” or “left to the will of the judge”, since in Latin “judge” was said referee. This should be understood as a judicial decision that cannot be decided simply by appealing to the laws, so the judge must personally make the final decision in the case.
That is why, in general, when we use the adjective “arbitrary”, we are referring to something that disrespects the rules established in advance or that does not follow the rules of the gamebut it is the result of personal will. Therefore, it can be synonymous with “unfair”, “authoritarian” or “capricious”. So, for example:
- “The line judge's decision was completely arbitrary” means that, in a soccer match, one of the side judges made a decision based on his desire and not on the rules of the sport or the actual situation observed.
- “The government has taken arbitrary action” means that the government has acted without consultation, appealing only to its own authority and not to the law or other relevant institutions.
- “The manager runs the company in an arbitrary way,” means that the manager does not listen to the opinions of others, nor does he pay attention to the company's rules, but decides everything on his own.
- “The nature of the linguistic sign is arbitrary” means that the signs of the language are given by convention, by decision of the speakers, and not by some type of logical or natural rules.
Continue with: Explanation
References
- “Arbitrary, ria” in the Dictionary of the Language of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Arbitrary” in Wiktionary.
- “Radication of the word Arbitrary” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
