epärealistisuuteen

Epärealistisuus is a Finnish term describing the quality or state of not being realistic. It is used to characterize ideas, plans, representations, or expectations that do not align with practical constraints, empirical evidence, or feasibility. In discourse, epärealistisuus often signals a gap between what is desirable or imagined and what can be achieved in practice.

The illative form epärealistisuuteen indicates movement toward unrealism or entering that state. This grammatical form is common in discussions about planning, forecasting, or interpretation, where a proposal or argument is described as moving into unrealistic territory.

Etymology and form: epärealistisuus combines the negating prefix epä- with realisti- from realistinen (realistic) and the abstract noun suffix -isuus. The illative suffix -isuuteen marks direction toward the state: epärealistisuuteen.

Usage and contexts: In art and literature, epärealistisuus can describe stylistic choices that foreground dreamlike, fantastical, or improbable elements. In business, design, and policy discussions, the term is used to critique projections, budgets, timelines, or risk assessments that lack grounding in constraints or evidence. It can appear in phrases such as “epärealistisiin odotuksiin” or “siirtyminen epärealistisuuteen suunnittelussa.” The concept often functions as a warning against overoptimism or disconnection from practical feasibility.

See also: realism (realismi), realism in art and literature, unrealism, optimistic bias.

References: The term is part of Finnish linguistic and critical vocabulary and appears in discussions across pedagogy, critique, and planning contexts.