Field Logic

The internal, often circular, reasoning system used to justify and maintain a field's boundaries and rules. It provides the "common sense" arguments that make the field's operations seem inevitable and neutral. Its axioms are rarely questioned from within, and it deflects criticism by labeling it as a failure to understand the field's unique necessities.

Example: In the field of "Predictive Policing," the field logic argues: "Crime data shows crime in Area X. Therefore, we must deploy more officers to Area X. The increased presence generates more arrests, producing more crime data for Area X, proving our initial logic correct." This circular logic justifies disproportionate policing while ignoring systemic bias in the initial data.

by Dumuabzu February 8, 2026

Field Reason

The specific mode of calculated, instrumental thinking demanded by and rewarded within a controlled field. It is reason stripped of ethical, historical, or social context, focused solely on optimizing for the field's designated goals (e.g., efficiency, engagement, profit). To use Field Reason is to accept the field's premises and play by its rules.

Field Reason Example: A social media manager using field reason decides to post inflammatory content because the platform's algorithm rewards outrage with visibility. They are reasoning perfectly within the field's logic (maximize engagement metrics), while deliberately ignoring the broader social harm (polarization, spread of hate) their actions cause.

by Dumuabzu February 8, 2026

Field Rationality

The performance of being a rational actor according to the narrowly defined standards of a specific field. It involves adopting the vocabulary, metrics, and goals of the field as one's own, and making decisions that are "rational" within that closed system, even if they are irrational or destructive from a wider human perspective.

Field Rationality Example: A student choosing to memorize factoids for a standardized test instead of deeply understanding the subject. This is field rationality: within the field of "educational testing," maximizing your score is the only rational goal. The richer, more meaningful—but less testable—learning is rationally abandoned.

by Dumuabzu February 8, 2026