Definition
Something 'rule-governed' operates according to a set of established regulations or principles. Think of a sport like basketball, where specific rules dictate how the game is played. It is the opposite of arbitrary or chaotic. 'Rule-governed' systems provide structure and predictability. This can create fairness, but sometimes it can also feel restrictive. A key aspect is consistency; rules are applied uniformly. It’s crucial in areas like law, science, and mathematics.