Definitions by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal
Social Sciences of Materialism
A field that studies materialism—the view that matter is the fundamental substance of reality—as a social and cultural phenomenon. It examines how materialist worldviews are adopted, spread, and institutionalized across different societies and historical periods. It also studies the relationship between philosophical materialism and economic materialism (consumer culture), as well as how materialist beliefs correlate with other social variables like secularism, scientific education, and political orientation. The social sciences of materialism treat materialism as one belief system among many, whose social life can be empirically investigated.
Example: “Social sciences of materialism research found that in postsocialist societies, philosophical materialism (rejecting spiritual reality) often coexists with economic materialism (valuing wealth) in ways that differ from Western secularism.”
Sociology of Materialism
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics and institutional supports of materialist worldviews. It examines how materialist communities form (e.g., online skeptic forums, atheist organizations), how they create and enforce orthodoxy, and how they engage with non‑materialist groups. The sociology of materialism also studies how materialist assumptions are embedded in scientific institutions, education, and media, and how challenges to materialism (e.g., from idealist or panpsychist scientists) are socially managed.
Example: “The sociology of materialism showed that many self‑described materialists hold inconsistent beliefs—for example, believing in free will while denying it philosophically—suggesting that materialism functions more as a social identity than a coherent doctrine.”
Sociology of Materialism
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics and institutional supports of materialist worldviews. It examines how materialist communities form (e.g., online skeptic forums, atheist organizations), how they create and enforce orthodoxy, and how they engage with non‑materialist groups. The sociology of materialism also studies how materialist assumptions are embedded in scientific institutions, education, and media, and how challenges to materialism (e.g., from idealist or panpsychist scientists) are socially managed.
Example: “The sociology of materialism showed that many self‑described materialists hold inconsistent beliefs—for example, believing in free will while denying it philosophically—suggesting that materialism functions more as a social identity than a coherent doctrine.”
Social Sciences of Materialism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Social Sciences of Physicalism
A field that studies physicalism—the view that everything that exists is physical or supervenes on the physical—as a social phenomenon. It examines how physicalism became dominant in academic philosophy and science, how it is taught and transmitted, and how it shapes research priorities and funding. It also studies the social correlates of physicalist belief (e.g., profession, disciplinary training), and how physicalist communities respond to challenges from dualists, idealists, or panpsychists. The social sciences of physicalism treat physicalism not as a proven truth but as a historically situated framework with its own social life.
Example: “Social sciences of physicalism research showed that physicalism’s dominance in neuroscience is reinforced by grant funding patterns—research that assumes physicalism is funded, while research that questions it is dismissed as ‘philosophical.’”
Sociology of Physicalism
The sociological subfield focusing on the communities, institutions, and practices that sustain physicalism. It examines how physicalist orthodoxy is enforced in academic departments, journals, and conferences; how dissenters are marginalized; and how physicalist commitments shape career trajectories. The sociology of physicalism also studies how physicalism functions as a boundary marker—distinguishing “serious” scientists from “woo” advocates—and how this boundary is policed through peer review, hiring, and public communication.
Example: “The sociology of physicalism revealed that graduate students in neuroscience quickly learn to avoid any language suggesting that consciousness might be non‑physical—not because the evidence is settled, but because expressing doubt would harm their careers.”
Sociology of Physicalism
The sociological subfield focusing on the communities, institutions, and practices that sustain physicalism. It examines how physicalist orthodoxy is enforced in academic departments, journals, and conferences; how dissenters are marginalized; and how physicalist commitments shape career trajectories. The sociology of physicalism also studies how physicalism functions as a boundary marker—distinguishing “serious” scientists from “woo” advocates—and how this boundary is policed through peer review, hiring, and public communication.
Example: “The sociology of physicalism revealed that graduate students in neuroscience quickly learn to avoid any language suggesting that consciousness might be non‑physical—not because the evidence is settled, but because expressing doubt would harm their careers.”
Social Sciences of Physicalism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Social Sciences of Naturalism
A field that studies naturalism—the view that nature is all that exists, with no supernatural or super‑natural realms—as a social and cultural phenomenon, not just a philosophical position. It examines how naturalism is transmitted, how naturalist communities form, how naturalism interacts with other worldviews in pluralistic societies, and how naturalist beliefs correlate with social variables like education, income, and political orientation. The social sciences of naturalism treat naturalism as one worldview among many, whose social life can be studied empirically.
Example: “Social sciences of naturalism research found that self‑identified naturalists often adopt quasi‑religious practices—rituals of wonder, celebrations of scientific milestones, and moral communities—despite rejecting religion.”
Sociology of Naturalism
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics, institutions, and social patterns of naturalist communities—from scientific naturalist organizations to online skeptic groups. It examines how naturalist identity is formed and maintained, how naturalist communities create solidarity and meaning, and how they engage with broader society. The sociology of naturalism also studies boundary work: how naturalists distinguish themselves from “supernaturalists,” and how internal debates (e.g., about free will or consciousness) create schisms.
Example: “The sociology of naturalism revealed that naturalist conferences often include opening ceremonies, keynote ‘sermons,’ and group affirmations—functions analogous to religious services, meeting social needs that pure philosophy does not address.”
Sociology of Naturalism
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics, institutions, and social patterns of naturalist communities—from scientific naturalist organizations to online skeptic groups. It examines how naturalist identity is formed and maintained, how naturalist communities create solidarity and meaning, and how they engage with broader society. The sociology of naturalism also studies boundary work: how naturalists distinguish themselves from “supernaturalists,” and how internal debates (e.g., about free will or consciousness) create schisms.
Example: “The sociology of naturalism revealed that naturalist conferences often include opening ceremonies, keynote ‘sermons,’ and group affirmations—functions analogous to religious services, meeting social needs that pure philosophy does not address.”
Social Sciences of Naturalism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Social Sciences of Philosophy
An interdisciplinary field that applies social science methods to the study of philosophy as a social activity—examining who becomes a philosopher, how philosophical communities are structured, how ideas spread and gain influence, and how social factors (class, gender, race, nationality) shape philosophical production. It draws on the sociology of knowledge, network analysis, and prosopography to understand philosophy not as a timeless conversation of pure reason but as a historically situated, institutionally embedded practice.
Example: “Social sciences of philosophy research used citation network analysis to show that 20th‑century analytic philosophy was dominated by a small, highly interconnected group from elite Anglophone universities—revealing a social structure, not just a logical one.”
Sociology of Philosophy
A subfield that focuses specifically on the social organization of philosophical activity: academic departments, journals, conferences, publishing patterns, and career trajectories. It examines how philosophical reputations are built, how orthodoxies form and are challenged, how philosophical “schools” maintain boundaries, and how power operates within the discipline. The sociology of philosophy also studies the exclusion of women, people of color, and non‑Western traditions, and how gatekeeping mechanisms reproduce demographic homogeneity.
Example: “The sociology of philosophy showed that the so‑called ‘linguistic turn’ was not a purely intellectual event—it was promoted by a network of scholars who controlled key journals and graduate programs, shaping the field for decades.”
Sociology of Philosophy
A subfield that focuses specifically on the social organization of philosophical activity: academic departments, journals, conferences, publishing patterns, and career trajectories. It examines how philosophical reputations are built, how orthodoxies form and are challenged, how philosophical “schools” maintain boundaries, and how power operates within the discipline. The sociology of philosophy also studies the exclusion of women, people of color, and non‑Western traditions, and how gatekeeping mechanisms reproduce demographic homogeneity.
Example: “The sociology of philosophy showed that the so‑called ‘linguistic turn’ was not a purely intellectual event—it was promoted by a network of scholars who controlled key journals and graduate programs, shaping the field for decades.”
Social Sciences of Philosophy by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Social Sciences of Secularism
A field that studies secularism not as a simple separation of church and state but as a complex political and cultural project with its own histories, ideologies, and contradictions. It examines how different societies have implemented secularism (French laïcité, Indian secularism, Turkish Kemalism, American separationism), how secular policies affect religious and non‑religious citizens, and how secularism can itself become a kind of civil religion. The social sciences of secularism also analyze the rise of “political secularism” as a tool for managing religious diversity.
Example: “Social sciences of secularism research showed that French laïcité, while officially neutral, disproportionately restricts Muslim religious expression in public schools, revealing how secularism can be a vehicle for cultural majoritarianism.”
Sociology of Secularism
The sociological dimension of secularism studies, focusing on how secular institutions, laws, and norms shape social behavior, identity, and inequality. It examines how secular policies are implemented on the ground, how citizens experience and contest them, and how secularism interacts with class, race, and gender. The sociology of secularism also studies the rise of “secularist movements” and their opposition to religious influence in public life, as well as the social consequences of removing religious welfare and community structures.
Example: “The sociology of secularism revealed that in post‑communist countries, the abrupt imposition of state atheism created a vacuum that was later filled by nationalist religions—showing that secularism cannot simply erase religious need.”
Sociology of Secularism
The sociological dimension of secularism studies, focusing on how secular institutions, laws, and norms shape social behavior, identity, and inequality. It examines how secular policies are implemented on the ground, how citizens experience and contest them, and how secularism interacts with class, race, and gender. The sociology of secularism also studies the rise of “secularist movements” and their opposition to religious influence in public life, as well as the social consequences of removing religious welfare and community structures.
Example: “The sociology of secularism revealed that in post‑communist countries, the abrupt imposition of state atheism created a vacuum that was later filled by nationalist religions—showing that secularism cannot simply erase religious need.”
Social Sciences of Secularism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Social Sciences of Irreligion
A broader field than atheism studies, encompassing all forms of religious disaffiliation, non‑belief, and religious indifference—including agnosticism, apatheism, secular humanism, and spiritual but not religious. The social sciences of irreligion draw on sociology, anthropology, and political science to understand why irreligion is growing in some societies and not others, how irreligious people construct meaning and ethics, and how they organize collectively. It also examines the social costs and benefits of irreligion, and how irreligious people navigate family, work, and civic life in religiously dominated spaces.
Example: “Social sciences of irreligion research showed that many self‑described ‘nones’ (religiously unaffiliated) still hold supernatural beliefs and practice private rituals—challenging the simple binary of religious vs. irreligious.”
Sociology of Irreligion
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics, institutions, and social patterns of irreligious populations. It studies how irreligious communities form (from local secular groups to international humanist organizations), how they create belonging without traditional religious frameworks, and how they respond to societal pressure. The sociology of irreligion also examines the demographic correlates of irreligion (age, education, urbanization) and how irreligious individuals manage identity in contexts where non‑belief is stigmatized.
Example: “The sociology of irreligion found that in predominantly Catholic countries, irreligious individuals often maintain ‘cultural Catholicism’—participating in festivals and family rituals while rejecting belief—to avoid social exclusion.”
Sociology of Irreligion
The sociological branch focusing on the group dynamics, institutions, and social patterns of irreligious populations. It studies how irreligious communities form (from local secular groups to international humanist organizations), how they create belonging without traditional religious frameworks, and how they respond to societal pressure. The sociology of irreligion also examines the demographic correlates of irreligion (age, education, urbanization) and how irreligious individuals manage identity in contexts where non‑belief is stigmatized.
Example: “The sociology of irreligion found that in predominantly Catholic countries, irreligious individuals often maintain ‘cultural Catholicism’—participating in festivals and family rituals while rejecting belief—to avoid social exclusion.”
Social Sciences of Irreligion by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026
Sociology of Atheism
A subfield of the social sciences of atheism, focusing specifically on the social structures, institutions, networks, and group dynamics of atheists. It examines how atheist organizations form, how they recruit and retain members, how they create collective identities, and how they navigate stigma or persecution. The sociology of atheism also studies the relationship between atheism and other social variables—education, income, political orientation, and family background. It treats atheism not as a mere absence but as a positive social identity with its own culture, hierarchies, and boundary‑policing mechanisms.
Example: “The sociology of atheism revealed that many online skeptic communities replicate the very structures they criticize in religion—charismatic leaders, doctrinal orthodoxy, and excommunication of heretics.”
Sociology of Atheism by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal April 16, 2026