ebamõistliku

Ebamõistlik (genitive ebamõistliku) is a Estonian adjective meaning not reasonable, irrational, or illogical. It is used to describe arguments, conclusions, plans, or behavior that lack justification, violate logical norms, or seem senseless. In everyday language, it can convey a judgment that something is absurd or unfounded, while in philosophy or rhetoric it may markatory critical evaluation of reasoning.

The word is formed from mõistlik, meaning reasonable, with the negating prefix eb- to yield ebamõistlik. The common noun forms include ebamõistlikkus (irrationality) and phrases such as ebamõistliku põhjuse (an irrational reason). Its usage tends to be evaluative and often subjective, reflecting the speaker’s sense that something does not follow from evidence or logic.

In practice, ebamõistliku is widely used across contexts—from casual conversation to academic discourse. Examples: “See väide on ebamõistlik” (That claim is irrational), “Tema otsus näib ebamõistlik” (His decision seems irrational). It can describe not only overt errors in reasoning but also actions that appear unreasonable or impractical given the circumstances.

In mathematics, ebamõistliku is not the standard term for mathematical properties. The Estonian term for irrational numbers is ebaraatsionaalsed or ebaraatsionaalne arv, depending on number form. Thus, while ebamõistlik conveys irrationality in everyday sense, mathematical discussions typically use more specialized terminology.

See also: ebaraatsionaalne, mõistlik, arutlus, loogika.