Information AboutArbitrary |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT ARBITRARY | |
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For instance, fans of J. R. R. Tolkien consider his Tengwar to be less arbitrary in both shape and order than the Latin Alphabet . ETYMOLOGY The word ''arbitrary'' comes from the Latin ''arbitrarius'' (see '' Arbiter '') and in Middle English could be found also as ''arbitrarie''. ''Sources Online Etymology Dictionary and Dictionary.Com '' PHILOSOPHY Philosophers have for centuries argued the merits of arbitrary thought and practice. ''Should we make our choices, live our lives, conduct our business and create by our own simple willful judgements alone, perhaps based on our feelings on a given subject, or should we use our capabilities of logic, artfulness and creativity to determine our thoughts and actions?'', is an example of this sort of inquiry. Ayn Rand is a more modern example of a philosopher who has gone to some lengths in pondering these questions. Rand wrote several books and papers in which she questioned prevailing philosophies, and formulated her philosophy of "'' Objectivism ''", whose main premise is that humans should act based not on subjective judgements, or how they "feel" (more or less her terminology) about something, but what is objectively (i.e. based on reason and logic) just, worthwhile, moral, or true. LAW AND POLITICS One can hardly discuss "arbitrary" as a concept without discussing the justice system. The word ''arbitrary'' comes from ''arbiter'', as in someone who is tasked to ''judge'', i.e. a Judge . Arbitration is a term used often to refer to an alternative way to work out disputes in an organization etc., or a disputed claim between individuals without having to go to court. In some countries, a prohibition of arbitrariness is enshrined into the Constitution . See Voting In Switzerland#Citizenship for an example in which this prohibition even overrides democratic decisions. |
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