reflektierender

Reflektierender is a German term derived from the verb reflektieren, meaning to reflect. In standard German the present participle is reflektierend; the form reflektierender is less common and is mainly found in attributive phrases or in coinages to signal someone or something that reflects. In everyday language, speakers more often use reflektierend or, when speaking of self-reflection, the noun Selbstreflexion. When used as a noun, the typical form is der Reflektierende; in many contexts it is clearer to use other expressions such as reflektierendes Denken or reflektierender Blick.

In philosophy and cognitive science, the concept is related to reflexivity and metacognition—the capacity of an agent to reflect on its own thinking, beliefs, and assumptions. The term may appear in discussions of critical thinking, self-awareness, and epistemic scrutiny. In education and professional practice, reflective approaches (reflektierendes Lernen, reflective practice) emphasize learning from experience through contemplation, journaling, and analysis of actions to improve understanding and performance.

In literature and media studies, a reflective or self-reflective stance can describe narrators, characters, or works that acknowledge their own processes or contexts. The term is often used interchangeably with or alongside related German terms such as Reflexion, Reflexivität, and Selbstreflexion.

See also: Selbstreflexion, Reflexion, Reflexivität, Metacognition.