oikeutus

Oikeutus is a Finnish noun that denotes justification, legitimacy, or entitlement. It refers to the grounds or reasons that make a claim, action, policy, or status acceptable, permissible, or warranted. The term is used in everyday language as well as in specialized domains such as ethics, law, and political theory to express why something should be considered right or legitimate.

Etymology and scope: The word is derived from the concept of oikeus (law, right) and the suffix -utus, which forms nouns indicating a process or result. In this sense oikeutus covers both normative justification (why something is warranted or acceptable) and the notion of entitlement or eligibility (the right to receive something or to be regarded as legitimate).

Usage in philosophy and ethics: In ethical and normative discussions, oikeutus refers to the grounds for judging an action or policy as morally acceptable. It can denote a rational justification for beliefs, conduct, or institutional arrangements, and it is often contrasted with mere opinion or convenience.

Usage in law and public administration: In legal and administrative contexts, oikeutus describes the legitimacy of decisions, actions, or claims. For example, a policy may be evaluated for oikeutus based on its adherence to legal norms or its justification in terms of social aims. The term also appears in phrases like oikeutus ottaa käyttöön (the justification to implement) or oikeutus saada etuus (the entitlement to receive a benefit).

Related terms include oikeus (law, right), oikeuttaminen (authorization or entitling), and oikeutettu (entitled or justified).