Nytteprimært

Nytteprimært is a Norwegian term formed by the words nytte (utility, usefulness) and primært (primarily). It is used to describe an orientation, decision criterion, or justification that prioritizes usefulness or practical outcomes above other values such as aesthetics, ethics, or principle.

Usage and nuance

The term is commonly found in academic, policy, and technical writing to mark that the main criterion for evaluation is expected utility or pragmatic benefit. Nytteprimært reasoning favors results, efficiency, and functional benefits, and it may be contrasted with approaches that prioritize moral principles, rights, or intrinsic value. It can describe actions, policies, designs, or analyses that are evaluated mainly on their usefulness rather than their alignment with non-practical ideals.

Etymology and form

Nytteprimært is a compound adjective/adverb. Its construction is typical of Norwegian, combining nytte and primært to produce a modifier that can apply to verbs (nytteprimært motivert) or to nouns (en nytteprimært tilnærming). The form is relatively rare and largely confined to formal or argumentative contexts, where precise emphasis on utilitarian criteria is intended.

Related terms

Related concepts include nytteorientert, nyttefokusert, pragmatisk, and nyttefunksjon (utility function) in economic or analytical discourse. It can be contrasted with utilitarisme as a philosophical strand or with moral- eller prinsippstyrte tilnærminger.

See also

Nyttefunksjon, nytteorientert, pragmatisme, utilitarisme.