Refleksien

Refleksien is a term used in Scandinavian philosophy and media theory to denote a practice or phenomenon of reflexive thinking and self-referential representation. The term combines the Norwegian word refleks (reflection) with a suffix -ien that marks a field or practice.

Definition: Refleksien refers to the iterative process by which perception, memory, and interpretation feed back into each other, producing layers of meaning that reflect on their own conditions of possibility.

Origins and usage: While the concept has origins in academic discourse from the late 20th century, it draws on broader traditions of reflexivity in sociology and hermeneutics. It is used to analyze how texts and media invite audiences to interrogate their own viewing conditions.

Forms and manifestations: In literature, Refleksien appears as self-commentary or metafiction; in film and digital media, it takes the form of meta-narrative devices, broken timelines, or interactive prompts that reveal how meaning is constructed.

Implications: The concept is used to examine subjectivity, accountability, and the politics of representation, highlighting how observers locate themselves within the contexts they study.

Reception: Critics emphasize its utility for critical self-awareness, while some argue it risks obscuring content beneath procedural analysis.

See also: Reflexivity, meta-narrative, metafiction, hermeneutics.