PsychologyAugust 12, 2026

futility

fyoo-TIL-ih-tee

Definition

The state of being incapable of producing any useful result; pointlessness.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin word 'futilis', meaning 'leaky' or 'vain'. It entered English in the 17th century to describe something that lacks a solid foundation or meaningful purpose.

In the news

The article uses futility to describe research that lacks scientific value or potential for progress. It argues that IRB committees fail by allowing such aimless studies to proceed while simultaneously hindering productive ones.

Medical ethics and IRB committees make two errors: they block useful research, they permit useless research

Read the full article ↗

drvinayprasad.com

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