Vermeidlichkeit

Vermeidlichkeit is a German term that denotes the quality or state of being avoidable. It describes the extent to which a given outcome or harm can be prevented before it occurs. The concept is often discussed in contrast to Unvermeidlichkeit (inevitability) and is commonly used in contexts such as risk assessment, ethics, law, and policy analysis to indicate whether preventive actions are feasible and effective.

In ethics and law, Vermeidlichkeit helps determine responsibility and duties of care. A harm is considered avoidable if reasonable precautions or otherwise feasible actions could have prevented it. When such measures are neglected, questions of negligence or moral accountability arise. If an event is truly unavoidable due to forces beyond control, it may be described as unvermeidlich.

In risk management and public policy, Vermeidlichkeit guides the design and evaluation of preventive strategies. Measures that increase avoidability—such as safety procedures, regulatory limits, or health interventions—are valued for reducing potential harm. Assessments often weigh the costs and feasibility of preventive actions against the severity and likelihood of the risk.

Examples include smoking cessation reducing the avoidability of smoking-related diseases, installing guardrails increasing the avoidability of traffic injuries, vaccination reducing the avoidability of infectious diseases, and environmental regulations aiming to maximize the avoidability of ecological damage.

See also: Unvermeidlichkeit, Vermeidung, Risikobewertung.