Sönnunargrunnaðrar

Sönnunargrunnaðrar is a relatively new term in Icelandic that denotes a methodology or standard of justification in which evidence forms the primary basis for claims and arguments. The term is a compound of sönnun (evidence or proof) and grunnur (foundation) with an agentive suffix, yielding a sense of “the grounding of arguments in evidence.”

Usage and scope: The concept appears in Icelandic academic writing, public policy discussions, and science communication to describe an approach that prioritizes empirical support, transparent data, and reproducible reasoning. It is commonly invoked when contrasting claims supported by data with assertions made without adequate evidence, or when advocating for policies and conclusions that can be justified by observable facts.

Relation to other terms: The idea is closely related to “evidence-based” or “data-driven” approaches in English. In Icelandic discourse, sönnunargrunnaðrar is sometimes used as a normative standard for how to argue, evaluate sources, and design studies, rather than as a fixed methodological protocol.

Origins and usage notes: As a contemporary neologism, sönnunargrunnaðrar lacks a long historical record and its precise scope varies by author. Proponents stress critical evaluation, transparency about data limitations, and explicit explanation of how evidence supports conclusions; critics caution that what counts as “evidence” can be contested across disciplines.

See also: sönnun, rökfræði, vísindaleg aðferð, þekkingarfræði.