The adjective 'unimputable' describes something that cannot be fairly attributed to a specific person, cause, or source. It suggests a lack of assignability of responsibility, blame, or origin. This term often appears in legal, ethical, or philosophical contexts where determining the source of an action or event is complex or deliberately ambiguous. It implies that attempts to directly connect the outcome with a specific entity would be unjust or inaccurate, highlighting the inherent difficulty in pinpointing culpability or origin.
Unimputable meaning with examples
- The sudden market downturn was considered unimputable; several interconnected global events, including shifting consumer confidence and geopolitical instability, contributed to the decline. Pinpointing a single culprit, whether it be a corporation or government entity, would be an oversimplification and distort the complex economic realities at play, hindering a clear understanding.
- In cases of collective punishment, actions are often unimputable, as individual responsibility becomes diluted within a larger group. Blame cannot be effectively cast when guilt is diffused among many actors. This makes it difficult to apply justice or create remedies.
- The exact origin of the ancient manuscript's textual variations remained unimputable; centuries of copying, editing, and cultural influences had rendered the source impossible to clearly trace. Numerous contributors each impacted its evolving structure, preventing certainty.
- When a natural disaster caused widespread destruction, the resulting suffering and loss were often considered unimputable, since the damage was wrought by acts of nature. To place the responsibility on any individual human for a catastrophe is impossible.