Úsudek

Úsudek is a Czech noun that denotes a judgment, conclusion, or assessment formed through reasoning or consideration. It refers to an opinion or belief that results from weighing evidence, facts, and arguments. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in academic, legal, and philosophical contexts. In common usage it can be close to názor (opinion) or odhad (estimate), but úsudek emphasizes the reasoning process behind the conclusion.

Etymology and related forms: Úsudek is derived from the verb usuzovat or únavovat in the sense of deducing or inferring. The word is often contrasted with roz­sudek (a formal court ruling) and with názor, which denotes a more personal stance. In scholarly language, úsudek can refer to a cognitive act of judging or a proposition reached by reasoning.

Usage and nuance: The expression “podle mého úsudku” signals that the speaker is presenting a considered conclusion. In formal discourse, úsudek can convey a precise inference or theoretical claim, whereas odhad implies a rough estimate and názor a subjective belief. It is common in philosophy, logic, and rhetoric to speak of a “logický úsudek” (logical judgment) or a “poznávací úsudek” (cognitive judgment).

In philosophy and science: Úsudek is used to translate the notion of judgment as a mental operation that applies concepts to objects or cases, as well as a proposition asserted within argumentation. It functions as a bridge between observation and conclusion.

See also: Rozsudek, Názor, Odhad, Deduction.