Probleeme

Probleeme is a term used in theoretical and applied discourse to denote a cluster of interrelated problems that define a given field or situation. The form appears to be a neologism built from the word "problem" with a suffix that invites a plural or collective sense. Because probleeme is not anchored to a single discipline or a fixed definition, its precise meaning varies depending on context and author.

In philosophy and science studies, probleeme is employed to emphasize how problems are framed rather than given. Proponents argue that problems are constructed through social, institutional, and methodological choices, and that recognizing this construction helps reveal hidden assumptions, biases, and power relations that shape inquiry. The concept invites researchers to examine which issues are foregrounded or marginalized and how framing influences inquiry outcomes.

In education, policy design, and design thinking, a probleeme-based approach centers learning and decision making on interconnected issues rather than isolated questions. This perspective supports interdisciplinary collaboration, systems thinking, and iterative exploration of trade-offs among competing aims such as equity, efficiency, and sustainability. It can guide curriculum design, stakeholder analysis, and scenario planning by focusing on the relationships among problems rather than treating them as independent tasks.

Critics note that probleeme can be vague or underspecified without clear definitions or exemplars. Its usefulness often depends on explicit articulation of what constitutes a probleeme in a given context and how it differs from related concepts like problematique or problem space. See also: problem, problematique, problem space, systems thinking, problem-based learning.