Tarkoitustulkintaa

Tarkoitustulkintaa, often translated as purposive interpretation or teleological interpretation, is a method of legal interpretation where the interpreter seeks to understand the purpose or objective that a legal rule or provision is intended to achieve. This approach contrasts with literal interpretation, which focuses solely on the plain meaning of the words used, or historical interpretation, which examines the intent of the lawmakers at the time of enactment.

The core idea behind tarkoitustulkintaa is that laws are not enacted in a vacuum but are designed to serve specific societal goals. Therefore, to apply a law correctly, one must understand what problem it was meant to solve or what outcome it was meant to promote. This can involve looking at the legislative history, the broader context of the legal system, and the societal values that the law reflects.

In practice, tarkoitustulkintaa may lead to interpretations that go beyond the most obvious or literal meaning of the text. It allows for flexibility in applying old laws to new circumstances or addressing situations that the original lawmakers might not have foreseen. However, this method also carries the risk of the interpreter imposing their own view of the law's purpose, potentially leading to subjective or unpredictable outcomes if not applied carefully and within established legal principles. The extent to which tarkoitustulkintaa is accepted and applied varies across different legal systems and in different contexts within a single system.