What does arbitrary mean?

Question

Looking for a practical meaning, not so much a definition from the dictionary.

Answer 1

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Answer 2

Meaning Of Arbitrary

Answer 3

By definition arbitrary can refer to choices, actions, etc. made manifest not by means of any underlying principle or logic, but perhaps by human whim, or some decidedly illogical formula. For example, rearranging, for no reason, the letters of the alphabet so the letters appear in a staggered fashion, i.e., ac-bd-eg-fh. If there were a purpose in doing so, (e.g. to make a newer, better alphabet) then it would not be considered arbitrary.

For instance, fans of J. R. R. Tolkien consider his tengwar to be less arbitrary in both shape and order than the Latin alphabet.

To say that an event takes place arbitrarily is to say that the event contains no discernable reason. Arbitrary is therefore necessarily different from random.
The word arbitrary comes from the Latin arbitrarius (see Arbiter) and in Middle English could be found also as arbitrarie.
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.

Nihilism as a philosophy often discusses the arbitrary nature of the universe, due to the fact that, according to nihilism, the universe contains no value and is essentially meaningless. Because the universe and all of its constituents are equally meaningless, all aspects of human life and experiences are completely arbitrary. There is no right or wrong decision, thought or practice, and whatever choice a human beings makes is just as meaningless and empty as any other choice he or she could've made.
Law and Politics

The word arbitrary comes from arbiter, as in someone who is tasked to judge some matter. 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. Calling something "arbitrary" still implies that the arbiter has not reached a conclusion based on the evidence, but rather made a decision for the sake of making some decision at all. In some countries, a prohibition of arbitrariness is enshrined into the constitution. See Voting in Switzerland#Citizenship for an example in which this prohibition overrides even democratic decisions.

Answer 4

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RE:
What does arbitrary mean?
Looking for a practical meaning, not so much a definition from the dictionary.

Answer 5

Arbitrary means according to that person's decision. It can be random, since one person's decision could be very different from another's. Ex. Pick an arbitrary number. = Pick any number you like. Ambiguous means vague, unclear. You are very ambiguous = You don't make sense, you aren't being clear. They are NOT similar in meaning.

Answer 6

ar·bi·trar·y (ärb-trr) KEY

ADJECTIVE:
Determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle: stopped at the first motel we passed, an arbitrary choice.
Based on or subject to individual judgment or preference: The diet imposes overall calorie limits, but daily menus are arbitrary.
Established by a court or judge rather than by a specific law or statute: an arbitrary penalty.
Not limited by law; despotic: the arbitrary rule of a dictator.

Answer 7

arbitrary is generally used in the sense of saying that someone makes up their own mind about a selection but it does have a suggestion of being a synonym for 'random'-i wonder whether that is what is confusing you
as i imagine it comes from the latin meaning to think or judge i would guess that the secondary meaning of random is slightly false-its another one of these nagging little points that you never get around to nailing down although you have

Answer 8

Really it means random. If you knew something happened in February, but weren't sure of the date and just picked the best guess, that would be an arbitrary date.

Answer 9

arbitrary
One entry found for arbitrary.


Main Entry: ar·bi·trary
Pronunciation: 'är-b&-"trer-E, -"tre-rE
Function: adjective
1 : depending on individual discretion (as of a judge) and not fixed by law
2 a : not restrained or limited in the exercise of power : ruling by absolute authority b : marked by or resulting from the unrestrained and often tyrannical exercise of power
3 a : based on or determined by individual preference or convenience rather than by necessity or the intrinsic nature of something b : existing or coming about seemingly at random or by chance or as a capricious and unreasonable act of will

Answer 10

To me, it means random...pulled out of a hat. A lottery of sorts. At least, that's how I use it in conversation. I didn't look it up...just used it how it's been used when I'm spoken to.

Answer 11

it is like a line, or a point, or a rule, with no significance.
Like making a rule, just for the sake of making a rule. Does that make sense?