Justifiableness

Justifiableness refers to the quality or state of being justifiable; the degree to which something is able to be supported, defended, or proven as right, reasonable, or valid. It indicates whether an action, belief, or claim can be shown to be fair, logical, or in accordance with accepted standards or principles. This concept is central to ethics, law, and critical thinking, assessing if a decision or behavior has sound reasons behind it and can withstand scrutiny or challenge. It suggests a basis of evidence or logical argument that makes an action acceptable or morally permissible.

Justifiableness meaning with examples

• The judge meticulously examined the evidence to ascertain the justifiableness of the police's actions in the high-speed chase. The defense argued that the pursuit was disproportionate to the alleged crime and lacked reasonable cause, while the prosecution presented video footage and witness statements seeking to establish that it was indeed justifiable to catch the suspect. The ultimate verdict depended on if the pursuit demonstrated this, considering the safety of the officers and public.
• The philosopher grappled with the justifiableness of utilitarian ethics, which sometimes allows actions that might harm a minority to benefit the majority. Critics argued that prioritizing overall happiness at the expense of individual rights lacked this quality, highlighting potential inconsistencies with moral principles, especially in certain situations. Proponents, however, tried to defend this by appealing to a broader range of values.
• The company faced a public relations crisis when accusations of discriminatory hiring practices arose. They were forced to provide data and demonstrate the justifiableness of their decisions. This included outlining their recruitment processes and employee selection criteria, showing if their actions were based on objective qualifications and performance, and explaining why their decisions were free from bias.
• In the realm of scientific research, the peer-review process aims to evaluate the justifiableness of the methods and results presented. Scientists must back their findings with rigorous experimentation, clearly described methods, data, and statistical analysis. Failure to demonstrate scientific rigor leads to rejection. Claims must be repeatable and verifiable for them to be established.
• The historian debated the justifiableness of historical events, such as the use of atomic weapons during World War II. They analyzed the motives, circumstances, and potential consequences of such decisions to determine if they were ethical and reasonable. Exploring this, the historian weighed the costs against the benefits and assessed whether the actions were justifiable given the context of the war.