realweltlich

Realweltlich is a German adjective used to describe things related to the real world as opposed to theoretical, idealized, or simulated contexts. The term combines Realwelt (the real world) with the suffix -lich, signaling that something is characteristic of reality as it is experienced in everyday life.

In philosophy and the social sciences, realweltlich is often used to contrast with terms such as idealweltlich or theoretisch. It appears in discussions of ecological or external validity, emphasizing whether findings, models, or concepts hold outside controlled or laboratory conditions and in naturalistic environments. The notion underscores the difference between abstract reasoning and observable, practical phenomena.

In practical domains, realweltlich is applied to describe deployments, data, and evaluations that take place in actual operating conditions. Realweltliche Anwendungen refer to software, systems, or processes that function in production settings rather than in prototypes or simulations. Realweltliche Daten denote information gathered from real-world contexts, such as field studies, user behavior in natural settings, or production metrics. Realweltliche Risiken and Kosten refer to hazards and expenses that arise in real operations, beyond theoretical estimates.

The term is commonly translated as "real-world" in English and is frequently used across disciplines to signal relevance to everyday life and practical impact. While it highlights empirical grounding, realweltlich remains dependent on context, as what counts as “real” may vary by field (e.g., laboratory realism, ecological validity, or market realities).