saglighed

Saglighed is a Danish term describing the quality of being based on the matter at hand and on evidence, rather than on personal feelings, bias, or irrelevant considerations. It denotes a rational, professional approach to reasoning and decision-making, with emphasis on relevance, accuracy, and logical support for claims.

In practice, saglighed implies presenting information in a way that allows independent assessment, citing sources, and avoiding sensationalism or undue emphasis on emotion. It also involves aligning arguments with the subject matter and with applicable rules, standards, or methods. The concept is used across several fields to describe a disciplined, fact-based stance.

Common contexts for saglighed include journalism, science and academia, law, and public administration. In journalism, saglighed guides balanced reporting, verification of claims, and coverage of credible sources. In science, it aligns with methodological rigor and transparent reasoning. In law and governance, it requires decisions to be grounded in relevant procedures, evidence, and proportionality, with attention to fairness and accountability.

Saglighed is not the same as neutrality in values or advocacy; rather, it refers to the manner of argument and the basis of conclusions. Critics note that strict adherence to saglighed must be balanced with transparency and democratic deliberation, ensuring that important normative considerations can still be examined when necessary.

Etymology-oriented notes: saglighed stems from Danish roots related to matter and quality, reflecting a focus on the substantive aspects of a topic.