vastusperusteiset

Vastusperusteiset is a theoretical framework used in philosophy, science communication and education to describe a form of justification in which the validity of a claim rests on explicit, testable answers to a predefined set of core questions. The term combines vastus (answer, response) and perusteiset (grounded, foundational) in Finnish, signaling a shift from traditional premise-based argumentation toward answer-centered justification. The framework treats the content of the answers as the primary basis for evaluating a claim, rather than the structure of the overall argument or the degree of supporting premises alone.

Core principles include a fixed question set that covers the key dimensions of a claim (what is claimed, why it is credible, what evidence supports it, how it can be tested, what counterarguments exist), explicit articulation of each answer, and criteria for the believability and replicability of the answers. It emphasizes transparency, repeatability, and counter-evidence integration, and it is often discussed in relation to evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills.

Applications appear in education, where learners are asked to provide direct answers to defined questions about a topic; in science communication, where explanations are structured around answer-focused narratives; and in artificial intelligence, where answer sets are used to justify decisions. Critics argue that the rigidity of a predefined question set may constrain nuanced reasoning and undervalue the role of inference and exploratory inquiry.

Vastusperusteiset is a relatively new and contested concept, with limited uptake outside theoretical discussions. It is often framed as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, traditional justification methods. See also: evidence-based practice, epistemology, critical thinking, justification.