Criterion
A criterion is a principle or standard by which something may be judged or decided; a measure of evaluation.
A criterion represents a specific feature used to characterize an object or phenomenon.
General Scientific Aspect
In a broad sense, a criterion is defined as a principle or measure on which an assessment, definition, or classification of something is based. That is, a criterion serves as a universal basis for comparing objects and phenomena. Criteria are often seen as quantitative models of qualitative goals: they are intended to formalize goals and approximate them while remaining measurable indicators. Thus, in science, a criterion acts as an objective characteristic that allows for the objective comparison of alternatives or the verification of compliance with conditions.
Criterion in Systems Analysis
In some sense, criteria are quantitative models of qualitative goals. Indeed, once formulated, criteria, in a way, substitute for goals. Criteria are required to correspond as closely as possible to goals, to be similar to them. However, criteria cannot fully coincide with goals, as they are established differently. Goals are simply named, whereas criteria must be expressed on certain measurement scales. A slightly different but equally valid interpretation of the concept of "criterion" is also common, where it refers to the qualitative aspect of the result obtained or the achievement of a goal. In this case, the concept of "criterion" is separated from the concepts of "indicator" and "parameter." In this interpretation, a single criterion can have multiple indicators or parameters.
Problem situations requiring a solution contain various types of uncertainty, which can be broadly categorized as uncertainties related to nature, human factors, and the goals of problem resolution. To overcome this uncertainty, one resorts to simplifying the task and building models, which is always an informal and non-standardized procedure. One of the most common approaches to simplifying a choice task is to obtain additional information by describing the considered options (alternatives, objects) in the language of criteria.
The set of criteria used to describe a problem situation must satisfy the following requirements:
- Completeness — The set of criteria must reflect all significant aspects of the problem, the quality of its solution, and the main features of the options.
- Decomposability — The composition of criteria should simplify the description and analysis of the problem, allowing for the evaluation of different characteristics of the options and various aspects of the solution's quality.
- Non-redundancy — The number of criteria should be the minimum necessary to solve the task, and criteria should not duplicate each other in content.
- Transparency — The content and meaning of the criteria, as well as the wording of the rating gradations on the criteria scales, must be unambiguously understood by all participants in the decision-making process.
Criterion in Decision Theory
A criterion, in decision theory, is an element of a decision problem according to which a decision-maker (DM) chooses a particular alternative from a set of alternatives.
In decision theory, a criterion is considered a metric or symbolic indicator by which the DM (decision-maker) evaluates alternatives. It formalizes the goal of the task—for example, maximizing profit or minimizing risk—and serves as a rule for selecting the best option. If multiple criteria arise (a multi-criteria problem), the analysis focuses on finding a compromise solution that satisfies all important indicators.
Scientific-Methodological Aspect
From a methodological perspective, criteria serve as rules or conditions that ensure the validity of scientific research. For example, epistemology formulates the criterion of scientificity—a rule for the demarcation of scientific knowledge. Karl Popper, for instance, proposed the "criterion of falsifiability": a scientific hypothesis must be testable and potentially refutable. In a broader sense, methodological criteria can define requirements for the correctness of models, the completeness of evidence, or the repeatability of experiments. Criteria established in this way guarantee a rigorous approach to forming scientific conclusions and the adequacy of the results obtained.
Philosophical Aspect
In philosophy, a criterion is understood as a measure of the truth of a judgment or fact. Epistemology and gnoseology investigate the "criteria of truth," i.e., the grounds for distinguishing between true and false statements. Different philosophical schools propose various criteria: some rely on formal consistency and logical correctness, while others are based on correspondence with experience or practical results. For example, representatives of classical empiricism (Hume, Russell) defined truth through correspondence with sensations, while pragmatists defined it through the utility and practical success of ideas. In idealistic and logical traditions, the emphasis is on the internal coherence of knowledge. Separately, Marxist philosophy states that "practice decides the question of the objective truth of thinking"—practice is regarded as the criterion of truth. Thus, the philosophical understanding of a criterion is linked to the choice of fundamental principles of cognition that determine the measure of the reliability of knowledge.
Linguistic Aspect
The term "criterion" is borrowed from the Greek (κριτήριον from krínō "I distinguish, I judge") through Latin and French forms. Dictionaries define "criterion" as "a principle or standard by which an assessment, definition, or classification of something is made." Thus, in language, "criterion" denotes a linguistic concept—a basis for making decisions or forming judgments about a subject.