We explain what certainty or certainty is and what its relationship is with the truth. In addition, we tell you what legal certainty is.
What is certainty?
The certainty or certainty It is the clear, precise and certain knowledge of something, that is, the conviction that something is as it is said to be. . For example, if you are certain that the Earth is round, it is because you know for sure, without a doubt, that this is the case. The word comes from Latin certuswhich translates as “certain,” “decided,” “resolved,” “precise,” or “sure.”
Since it comes from “true,” certainty always involves awareness or belief and often factual proof or demonstration that something is as claimed. However, the certainty It is not equivalent to the truth, but to the absence of doubts : it is possible to be certain of something that later turns out to be false.
In different fields of thought, certainty intervenes as an important concept. In the sciences, for example, it is associated with the factual and demonstrable, with evidence and rational understanding. While in matters of religion or ideology, on the other hand, it is linked to faith or militant conviction.
The exact opposite of certainty is uncertainty, that is, doubt or ignorance regarding the veracity or validity of a statement, such that it is impossible to make a judgment as to whether it is true or false.
Certainty and truth
Certainty should not be confused with truth, even though they are closely related concepts. While truth is the conformity of thought or expectations with reality, Certainty is the confidence or conviction that one has that something one says or thinks is true, but may not be true. .
For example, you can be certain that a very dear friend will come to the party, and therefore it is assumed as certain that he will come, although it is perfectly feasible that said friend has a problem and must be absent. If the first happens and the friend arrives, then what was thought turned out to be true, in accordance with reality. But if the friend does not arrive, it will turn out to be false, despite the certainties that were had in this regard.
Legal certainty
Legal certainty, certainty of law or legal security is one of the universal principles of law, according to which The State guarantees the individual that their rights and assets will not be violated, and if they are, society will act to restore them. or recover them. It also assures you that only regular and formal procedures can properly alter the status of your rights.
It is a fundamental principle in legal doctrines, which is manifested through certain precepts such as the non-retroactivity of the law, the legal classification of crimes and penalties, constitutional guarantees, among others. Thanks to them it is possible to trust in justice and due process.
References
- “Certainty” in the Language Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy.
- “Legal security” on Wikipedia.
- “Certainty” in Wiktionary.
- “Information about Certainty” in the Online Spanish Etymological Dictionary.
