Erwartbares

Erwartbares is a German term that refers to what can reasonably be expected under a given set of conditions. It designates the range of outcomes, events, or consequences that are considered likely, normal, or plausible by observers or stakeholders. In everyday language, one might speak of das Erwartbare or erwartbare Folgen.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from erwarten plus -bares; erwartbar means predictable or likely. Erwartebares can function as a noun phrase (das Erwartbare) or as part of a larger noun phrase such as erwartbare Folgen, meaning expected consequences. The term is primarily descriptive and conversational, rather than tied to a single formal theory.

Contexts: In philosophy, sociology, risk analysis, and policy discussions, the term is used to anchor expectations, plan for the plausible, and distinguish between normal and exceptional outcomes. It is not a fixed technical term but a flexible notion that can be contested or reframed depending on perspective. For example, in climate risk assessment, the erwartbare warming scenario serves as a baseline for planning and communication.

Criticism and limitations: Because expectations depend on information, values, and context, the boundary between what is erwartbar and what is not can be blurred. Biases, uncertainty, and evolving data can shift judgments about what counts as the expected, making the concept inherently provisional.

Related terms include Erwartung (expectation), Erwartungswert (expected value), Erwartungshaltung (attitude of expectation), and planning assumptions (Planungsannahmen) used in analysis and decision-making.