Overlevelsesproblematik

Overlevelsesproblematik is a term used in Scandinavian languages to denote the range of problems, tensions, and ethical questions surrounding efforts to secure human survival in conditions of risk, scarcity, and uncertainty. The word combines overlevelse (survival) and problematik (problematics), signaling a critical focus on what it takes to stay alive and maintain dignity under adverse circumstances rather than a purely technical assessment.

The concept is applied across multiple fields, including humanitarian aid, disaster risk reduction, refugee and migration policy, public health, climate adaptation, and development studies. Typical concerns encompass triage and prioritization, resource allocation, governance and accountability, equity, and the balance between immediate relief and long-term resilience. It also considers moral hazards and unintended consequences of interventions, such as dependency or the potential to crowd out local capacity or long-term solutions.

Theoretical approaches draw on bioethics, political philosophy, and development theory, including utilitarian, deontological, and capability-oriented perspectives. Methodologically, scholars may use case studies, comparative analyses, and policy evaluations to assess effectiveness, fairness, and sustainability. Some critiques warn that an overemphasis on survival can neglect quality of life, autonomy, and social justice, while others highlight survival as a necessary precondition for any form of flourishing.

In practice, overlevelsesproblematik serves as a multidisciplinary frame for examining how policies and actions can secure life under threat while also protecting dignity, agency, and long-term resilience. Related areas of inquiry include triage ethics, humanitarian action, disaster risk management, climate justice, and public health ethics.