stellingen

Stellingen is the plural form of the Dutch noun stelling and has several related but distinct meanings depending on the context. In academic and intellectual contexts the term refers to propositions, claims or theses that are stated for discussion, argument, or demonstration. In everyday language it can also denote a position or stance on an issue. In logistics and libraries, stellingen describe physical structures used to organize items: shelving units or racks.

In logic, philosophy and mathematics, a stelling is a declarative sentence that can be true or false. It functions as a claim that can be accepted, refuted, or proven. When a stelling is proven, it is often called a theorem; an unproven claim may be labeled a conjecture or hypothesis. The term is frequently used alongside propositie, with stelling sometimes emphasizing its role as a formal assertion within a theory or argument.

In everyday usage, stelling can also mean a position or stance: iemand een stelling innemen means to take a stand on an issue or to assert a claim in discussion or debate.

In storage and display contexts, stellingen are physical installations. In libraries, boekenstellingen are the shelves that hold books. In warehouses, palletstellingen refer to pallet racking systems designed to store pallets and optimize vertical space.

Etymologically, stelling comes from the verb stellen, meaning to place, set, or state. The plural form reflects multiple such claims, positions, or shelving units, depending on the context.