Konsistentsus

Konsistentsus is a term used in philosophy of science, information theory, and applied ethics to denote the degree of internal coherence within a system of propositions, claims, or data. It describes how well the parts fit together, how resistant the overall system is to internal contradictions, and how stable conclusions remain when premises, methods, or evidence are revised. The concept thus covers logical consistency as well as methodological and evidential harmony.

In theoretical contexts, konsistentsus is assessed by examining whether a set of claims cohere with each other and with observed data, the compatibility of underlying assumptions with the methods used, and the extent to which explanations balance simplicity, scope, and explanatory power. In formal settings, researchers may use logic-based checks for contradictions, probabilistic coherence models, or multi-criteria scoring that aggregates evidential support, methodological alignment, and explanatory parity.

The term is a contemporary neologism rather than a long-established standard, used mainly to indicate a normative ideal of coherence across disciplines. It is situational and context-sensitive; different domains place different weights on consistency, empirical fit, and novelty.

Critics warn that overemphasizing konsistentsus can suppress legitimate dissent, mask underlying biases, or encourage conformity, especially when coherence is pursued at the expense of empirical adequacy or predictive success.

Related concepts include logical consistency, coherence, paraconsistent logic, and theory appraisal.