leegdenken

Leegdenken is a Dutch neologism that describes a mode of reasoning or discourse characterized by emptiness: arguments, policies, or messages that sound substantial but lack content, evidence, or practical implications. The term combines leeg, meaning empty, with denken, to think, and is used to critique rhetorical strategies that substitute slogans for rigorous analysis.

In contemporary Dutch usage, leegdenken is employed by journalists, scholars, and critics to diagnose vacuity in political, corporate, or public communication. It is not a technical theory but a descriptive label for patterns such as abstraction without grounding, overreliance on generalities, or promises without mechanisms for implementation.

Typical targets include political speeches that rely on vague promises, policy debates framed by catchy clichés, or media messaging that prioritizes style over evidence. Proponents of the concept argue that recognizing leegdenken helps maintain accountability and fosters more precise discourse; critics say the term can be vague or ideological.

Leegdenken relates to broader concerns in critical thinking, rhetoric, and deliberative democracy, including the evaluation of arguments, evidence, and social impact. It intersects with discussions of empty rhetoric, performativity, and the use of slogans to signal virtue without substantiation.

See also: critical thinking, rhetoric, empty rhetoric, slogans, performativity, deliberative democracy.