sanngyrni

Sanngyrni is a term used in Icelandic ethical discourse to denote the quality of moral soundness or uprightness in judgment and conduct. It describes the degree to which a person’s beliefs, intentions, and actions cohere with widely accepted standards of honesty, fairness, and duty within a community.

Etymology: The word combines elements meaning true or genuine with notions of rightness or propriety, capturing the idea of alignment between inner moral stance and outward conduct.

Concept and scope: In normative ethics, sanngyrni is invoked as a standard for evaluating decisions and behavior rather than a fixed rule. It encompasses consistency between what one believes to be right and what one actually does, as well as impartiality in treatment of others and adherence to agreed norms.

Applications: The term appears in philosophical discussion, public ethics, and professional codes of conduct. It is used to argue for accountable governance, transparent decision-making, and ethical consistency across private and public spheres.

Criticism: As with related concepts such as integrity and fairness, sanngyrni can be culturally contingent and difficult to operationalize. Some critics warn that competing normative frameworks can lead to disagreements about what counts as true righteousness in particular situations.

See also: integrity, ethics, justice, fairness, moral psychology.