Arbitrariness

Arbitrariness is the quality of being "determined by chance, whim, or impulse, and not by necessity, reason, or principle". It is also used to refer to a choice made without any specific criterion or restraint. Arbitrary decisions are not necessarily the same as random decisions. For example, during the 1973 oil crisis, Americans were allowed to purchase gasoline only on odd-numbered days if their license plate was odd, and on even-numbered days if their license plate was even. The system was well-defined and not random in its restrictions; however, since license plate numbers are completely unrelated to a person's fitness to purchase gasoline, it was still an arbitrary division of people. Similarly, schoolchildren are often organized by their surname in alphabetical order, a non-random yet an arbitrary method—at least in cases where surnames are irrelevant.

Arbitrariness is a significant global problem that is characterized by the lack of consistency, fairness, and predictability in decision-making processes. Statistical data highlights the magnitude of this issue. According to a report by Transparency International, 68% of countries worldwide have a high level of corruption and arbitrariness. This is further evidenced by the World Justice Project's Rule of Law Index, which indicates that 50% of countries score poorly in terms of the absence of corruption. Additionally, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime reports that 79% of countries have inadequate measures to combat corruption, leading to arbitrary decisions and favoritism. Such statistics underscore the urgent need for global efforts to address and mitigate the detrimental effects of arbitrariness on societies.

While some may argue that arbitrariness is a significant problem, it is important to recognize that it is an inherent aspect of any decision-making process. In reality, complete objectivity is nearly impossible to achieve, as humans are influenced by their subjective biases and perspectives. Moreover, arbitrariness can sometimes lead to creativity and innovation, as it allows for flexibility in decision-making. Therefore, it can be argued that while arbitrariness may not always produce optimal outcomes, it is not necessarily a serious issue that needs to be completely eradicated.