réttmæt

Réttmæt is an Icelandic adjective used to describe fairness or justice in the sense that something is right, appropriate, and morally acceptable. It is commonly applied to people, decisions, and policies to indicate that they treat individuals and circumstances in a proper and proportionate way. The concept encompasses both the avoidance of bias and the consideration of relevant factors that affect outcomes and treatment.

In discourse on ethics, law, and public policy, rettmæt covers several related dimensions. Procedural justice concerns how decisions are made—whether processes are transparent, impartial, and applied consistently. Distributive justice addresses the allocation of resources, burdens, and opportunities in ways that are considered fair given different needs and circumstances. Together, these dimensions describe a standard of fairness that can be used to evaluate actions, laws, and institutions.

Etymologically, the term is tied to the broader Icelandic family of ideas around right, justice, and suitability. It is often discussed in relation to other concepts such as jafnrétti (equality) and réttlæti (justice), which address different aspects of moral and social fairness. In Icelandic public life, rettmæt is used to describe policies and practices in areas like taxation, welfare, education, and criminal justice, where fairness in treatment and outcomes is a central objective. As a normative ideal, it is frequently debated and interpreted within specific cultural, legal, and policy contexts.