Sítus

Süütus is an Estonian term that denotes innocence—the state of being free from guilt or fault. It can refer to moral innocence, lack of knowledge of wrongdoing, or the purity of character that societies often value. In everyday usage, süütus contrasts with guilt, blame, and culpability, and it appears in discussions of ethics, law, religion, and literature.

Etymology and scope: The word is built from a root related to guilt, with a suffix indicating a state or condition. In Estonian, süütus commonly designates an absence of guilt, but it can also imply a more generalized sense of purity or naïve virtue that may be challenged by experience.

Legal and political context: In law and human-rights discourse, süütus is associated with the presumption of innocence—the principle that a person should not be treated as guilty before a court has established guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Cultural and philosophical context: In literature and philosophy, innocence is a recurring motif. It may be celebrated as a virtue, defended as a protective naiveté, or depicted as something that can be compromised or lost through knowledge, exposure to wrongdoing, or moral choice. The concept is often discussed in relation to issues of vulnerability, responsibility, and ethical judgment.

The concept is frequently contrasted with guilt, culpability, and corruption, and it remains a topic in debates about childhood, spirituality, and social ethics. Related topics include innocence, purity, presumption of innocence, and loss of innocence.