vilkårlig

Vilkårlig is a Norwegian adjective that describes something decided or determined by personal will, whim, or inconsistent criteria rather than by objective rules or fixed procedures. In everyday language it can refer to actions, decisions, or standards that appear arbitrary, capricious, or not sufficiently justified. The term is often contrasted with tilfeldig (random) and systematic approaches that follow predefined methods.

Etymology and sense of nuance: vilkårlig derives from vilje, meaning will or volition, and is used to convey the sense that outcomes are shaped by personal choice rather than by established criteria. While it can describe legitimate discretionary decisions, the word commonly carries a negative connotation of unfairness or lack of principle when criteria are unclear or applied inconsistently.

Usage in different contexts: In law, governance, and public administration, vilkårlige beslutninger are criticized for lacking objective basis, transparency, or proportionality. In everyday critique, the term signals that outcomes may be influenced by whim rather than rationale. In statistics and sampling, vilkårlig selection is generally viewed as undesirable, with a preference for tilfeldige (random) or systematically chosen samples to reduce bias.

Examples: A manager who changes project priorities without a clear rationale may be accused of making vilkårlige beslutninger. A study that selects participants based on convenience rather than a predefined method could be described as using a vilkårlig sample, undermining representativeness.

See also: tilfeldig, arbitrariness, discretionary.