grundidén

Grundidén is a term used in philosophy and design discourse to denote the fundamental guiding idea behind a system, theory, or project. Etymologically, it combines grund (foundation) and idé (idea), signaling its role as the central premise that shapes aims, methods, and evaluation criteria. In practice, a grundidén functions as the core standard against which decisions are judged and as the reference point for interpreting outcomes or counterexamples. The concept is prominent in contemporary Swedish-language scholarship, where scholars use it to analyze how theoretical frameworks are developed, justified, and revised.

A grundidén is typically context-dependent and can be reframed as circumstances change. It is not a fixed doctrine but an organizing principle that gives coherence to a field's goals and methods. It often sits near other related notions such as a guiding principle, foundational idea, or axiom, yet it emphasizes its central role in governing both design and evaluation.

Applications span ethics, political theory, science policy, and design. For example, a grundidén for a municipal planning project might be "sustainability as the primary constraint and opportunity" guiding urban form, transportation, and public space. Critics argue that the term risks vagueness and overreach, while supporters contend that it captures the necessary normative center of complex systems.

Related concepts include foundationalism, guiding principle, and design axiom.