erstrebenswertes

Erstrebenswertes is a German noun that denotes things that are desirable to strive for. The term comes from the adjective erstrebenswert, meaning worthy of being striven for or worth pursuing, and is used to refer to aspirational goals, values, or outcomes. In ethical, political, and organizational discourse, erstrebenswertes serves as a general category for what a society or individual may regard as worthwhile aims.

Etymology and usage

The word is formed by nominalizing the adjective erstrebenswert. The standard nominal form is das Erstrebenswerte (singular). Plural uses vary in practice, with die Erstrebenswerten commonly appearing in lists or discussions of multiple aspirational goals. The concept emphasizes normative desirability rather than mere feasibility, and it is often contrasted with things that are possible but not necessarily worth pursuing.

Contexts and examples

In philosophy and political theory, erstrebenswertes is used to discuss the ideal targets a polity should pursue, such as justice, freedom, or educational advancement. In personal-development writing, it may refer to individual aims like health, knowledge, or meaningful relationships. For example: In a normative argument, Bildung and Gerechtigkeit are considered erstrebenswertes for a flourishing society. In ethical debates, one distinguishes between what is merely possible and what is erstrebenswertes to endeavour toward.

Relationship to related terms

Erstrebenswertes is closely related to desiderata (Latin for things wished for) and to the more everyday term Wünschenswertes (desirable). It occupies a more normative, aspirational niche and is more common in formal or philosophical writing.

See also

Desiderata, Wünschenswertes, Werte (values), Zielsetzungen.