fairminded

Fairminded is an adjective describing a person or approach characterized by impartiality, open-mindedness, and a commitment to fairness in judging evidence, arguments, or people.

The term blends fair with minded, suggesting someone who has a fair frame of mind about issues rather than being swayed by personal interest. It appears in early modern English and remains common in both formal writing and everyday speech.

In use, fair-mindedness involves weighing evidence without undue influence from personal or ideological biases, considering opposing viewpoints, and applying standards consistently. It is often used to characterize judges, mediators, editors, or evaluative processes.

Related concepts include impartiality, even-handedness, objectivity, and open-mindedness. The term can be aspirational when praising a person, or ironic or critical when used to challenge perceived bias. In some contexts it serves as a value judgment about how a decision or discussion should be conducted, rather than a description of actual behavior.

Examples: a fair-minded reviewer would evaluate the manuscript on its merits, not the author’s reputation; a fair-minded panel would listen to all sides before reaching a verdict. See also impartiality, open-mindedness, and even-handedness.