reflektio

Reflektio is a term used in several languages to denote the concept of reflection. Its exact meaning depends on context, but it generally refers to turning back or considering something from a different perspective, whether in physics, philosophy, psychology, or computing.

In science, refleksi or reflection describes the change in direction of a wave or particle at a boundary between media. In optics, a light ray that strikes a surface is reflected such that the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection for a smooth surface. Reflections can be specular, producing a clear image, or diffuse, scattering light in many directions. Total internal reflection occurs when light remains within a medium beyond a critical angle, preventing transmission into the neighboring medium.

In philosophy and psychology, reflection denotes careful consideration of beliefs, experiences, or actions. Philosophical reflection examines foundational assumptions, while reflective practice in education and professional training encourages individuals to analyze their work and outcomes to improve future performance and understanding.

In computing and information technology, reflection refers to the capability of a program to inspect and modify its own structure and behavior at runtime. This can include querying type information, dynamically invoking methods, or altering execution flow, enabling flexible, adaptive software systems.

Etymologically, reflektio and its cognates arise from roots meaning to bend back or to turn again, forming a cross-linguistic family of terms for reflection. Variants appear across languages, with the core idea of looking back, considering, or bouncing back from a surface or experience.