willkürlich

Willkürlich is a German adjective meaning governed by the will or by personal discretion, and more commonly, arbitrary or capricious. In everyday language it designates something chosen or acted upon without objective constraints, often based on personal preference rather than rule-based reasons. The term can carry a neutral sense of discretionary choice or a negative sense of arbitrariness.

In legal and political contexts, willkür describes arbitrary exercise of power, lacking justification, due process, or proportionality. A decision made under willkür is typically considered unlawful or illegitimate because it ignores established rules or standards.

In philosophy, cognitive science and linguistics, willkürlich is used to describe phenomena that are not governed by universal laws or causal necessities, but by the will or by discretionary choice. It is contrasted with necessary or systematic explanations. In linguistics, the connection between a linguistic sign’s form and its meaning is often described as arbitrarily or willkürlich linked, according to Saussurean theory.

In everyday usage, willkürlich contrasts with freiwillig (voluntary) and willentlich (deliberate). Willkürlich can imply a lack of justification or unpredictability, whereas willentlich stresses intentionality and awareness by the agent.

Examples: “Die Entscheidung wurde willkürlich getroffen.” “Regeln sollen willkürfrei angewendet werden.” The term’s tone is often pejorative when referring to power or decision-making.