kohtuullisuus

Kohtuullisuus is a Finnish term meaning fairness, reasonableness, or moderation in various contexts. It connotes that outcomes or demands are balanced and proportionate to the relevant circumstances. The noun derives from the adjective kohtuullinen, meaning reasonable or just, and is used both in everyday language and law.

In law and administration, kohtuullisuus is a guiding principle, often referred to as kohtuullisuusperiaate (the principle of reasonableness or proportionality). It requires that public decisions, penalties, and administrative measures be appropriate, necessary, and proportionate to legitimate objectives, and that burdens and benefits are shared fairly. Finnish courts have applied it in civil and administrative cases and in evaluating benefit cuts, social security, and taxation.

In economics and social policy, kohtuullisuus is used to discuss the fair distribution of resources, weights of interests, and reasonable accommodations for different groups. It is associated with proportionality and balanced trade-offs in policy design, regulation, and pricing, including consumer expectations for fair pricing and corporate responsibility.

Cultural and ethical dimension: kohtuullisuus is upheld as a virtue guiding restraint, generosity, and sustainable behavior; in public discourse, debates emphasize whether measures are kohtuullisia and how they affect vulnerable groups.

Kohtuullisuus is thus a multifaceted concept spanning law, public administration, ethics, and everyday life, reflecting a Finnish emphasis on balanced, just, and sustainable outcomes.