arbitrária

Arbitrária is a term derived from the Latin word "arbitrarius," meaning based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system. It signifies an action or decision that lacks a logical basis, objective criteria, or established rules. In essence, it is something done without proper justification or consideration, often appearing capricious or subjective.

The concept of arbitrariness is relevant in various fields. In law, an arbitrary decision by a judge or administrator could be challenged as unfair or illegal if it deviates from established legal principles or precedents without sufficient cause. In linguistics, many aspects of language are considered arbitrary, such as the connection between a word and its meaning. For example, there's no inherent reason why the sound "tree" refers to a tall plant with a trunk and branches; it's a convention agreed upon by speakers of English.

In philosophy, arbitrariness can relate to existentialism, where certain choices or values are seen as fundamentally arbitrary, chosen by individuals in a meaningless universe. In everyday conversation, describing something as arbitrary often implies a lack of fairness or predictability. It suggests that the outcome was not determined by merit or a systematic process, but rather by chance or the will of an individual or group. Understanding arbitrariness helps in analyzing situations where decisions or phenomena seem to lack a clear rationale.