välttämättömyyskohtailu

Välttämättömyyskohtailu is a Finnish term that can be translated as "necessity reasoning" or "reasoning of necessity." It refers to a legal and ethical concept that allows for actions that would normally be considered wrong or illegal to be justified if they are undertaken out of extreme necessity to prevent a greater harm. This concept is often invoked in situations where an individual is forced to make a difficult choice between two undesirable outcomes, and chooses the option that results in less damage or suffering.

The principle of välttämättömyyskohtailu is based on the idea that the law should not be applied rigidly in all circumstances. In cases of extreme duress, where a person's actions are driven by an immediate and unavoidable threat to life, limb, or property, the usual prohibitions may be set aside. For example, breaking into an unoccupied cabin during a blizzard to escape freezing to death could be considered an act of necessity.

However, the application of välttämättömyyskohtailu is subject to strict conditions. The necessity must be genuine and immediate, and the action taken must be proportionate to the harm being averted. It is not a license to act recklessly or to cause harm for minor convenience. The burden of proof typically lies with the individual claiming necessity to demonstrate that their actions were indeed unavoidable and justified. This concept is a fundamental part of many legal systems, aiming to balance justice with practicality in extreme situations.