Critical Theory of Human Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to all disciplines studying human life—psychology, anthropology, history, linguistics, and more—examining how they've been shaped by power, how they've served domination, and how they might serve liberation. Critical Theory of Human Sciences asks: How have these disciplines constructed "the human" in ways that exclude? How have they pathologized resistance, exoticized difference, erased alternatives? It doesn't reject the human sciences but insists they must be self-aware, reflexive, and accountable. Studying humans requires understanding the politics of studying humans.

"Psychology pathologized homosexuality; anthropology exoticized 'primitive' cultures. Critical Theory of Human Sciences asks: what other violences hide in our disciplines? The human sciences study humans, but they're also human—flawed, political, complicit. Critical theory demands they remember that, reflect on it, and do better."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Cognitive Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to the cognitive sciences—examining how assumptions about mind, brain, and cognition reflect social values, how cognitive science can reinforce hierarchy, and how it might serve liberation. Critical Theory of Cognitive Sciences asks: Whose mind is studied? Whose cognition counts as normal? How do concepts like "intelligence" and "rationality" carry cultural baggage? How might cognitive science be complicit in ableism, racism, or neurotypical bias? It doesn't reject cognitive science but insists it must be self-aware about its assumptions and its politics.

"They study 'intelligence' as if it's universal. Critical Theory of Cognitive Sciences asks: whose definition? Developed where? Serving what interests? Intelligence tests were used to justify eugenics. Cognitive science that forgets its history repeats it. Critical theory insists on asking: what values are built into our models of mind?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Evolutionary Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to evolutionary biology and related fields—examining how evolutionary stories reflect social values, how they've been used to justify hierarchy, and how they might be told differently. Critical Theory of Evolutionary Sciences asks: Why do we emphasize competition over cooperation? How have evolutionary explanations been used to naturalize patriarchy, racism, or class inequality? Could evolution be told as a story of mutual aid, plasticity, and possibility? It doesn't deny evolution but insists that evolutionary narratives are never just science—they're also stories, and stories have politics.

"They say competition is natural—look at evolution. Critical Theory of Evolutionary Sciences asks: look at all the cooperation in nature, too. Why emphasize competition? Because it serves capitalist ideology. Evolution happened, but the stories we tell about it reflect our values. Critical theory insists on telling different stories—stories of solidarity, not just survival of the fittest."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Formal Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to the formal sciences—mathematics, logic, computer science, and related fields—examining how even these seemingly pure disciplines are shaped by social contexts and power relations. Critical Theory of Formal Sciences asks: How do mathematical concepts reflect cultural values? How has logic been used to exclude? Whose interests are served by treating formal sciences as neutral? Drawing on critical mathematics education, feminist critiques of logic, and philosophy of computer science, it insists that no knowledge is value-free—not even 2+2. Understanding formal sciences requires understanding the society that produces them.

"Math is universal, they say. Critical Theory of Formal Sciences asks: universal for whom? Developed where? Mathematics has history, culture, politics. It's been used to justify racism (intelligence testing), to enable surveillance (algorithms), to concentrate power. Formal sciences aren't neutral; they're human products. Critical theory insists on asking: what values are built into the equations?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Exact Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to the exact sciences—physics, chemistry, astronomy, and fields that aim for precise, mathematical description of nature—examining how even these "hard" sciences are shaped by social forces. Critical Theory of Exact Sciences asks: How do funding priorities shape what gets studied? How do cultural assumptions influence theory choice? Whose interests are served by treating exact sciences as beyond politics? Drawing on history and philosophy of science, it insists that even the most precise sciences are human activities, shaped by human societies. Understanding exact sciences requires understanding their social context.

"Physics is just describing nature, they say. Critical Theory of Exact Sciences asks: describing nature with what funding? For what purposes? Developed in what social context? The Manhattan Project wasn't just physics; it was politics. Exact sciences aren't exempt from critique. Critical theory insists on asking: who benefits from this knowledge, and who pays?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Natural Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to the natural sciences—biology, chemistry, physics, and fields studying the natural world—examining how they're shaped by social forces and how they can serve domination or liberation. Critical Theory of Natural Sciences asks: How have natural sciences been used to justify racism, sexism, colonialism? How do funding and institutional power shape research agendas? Could natural sciences be practiced differently—more democratically, more ecologically, more justly? Drawing on feminist science studies, postcolonial science studies, and environmental justice, it insists that natural sciences are never just natural—they're social through and through.

"Science is science, they say. Critical Theory of Natural Sciences asks: whose science? Funded by whom? For what purposes? Biology justified eugenics; medicine experimented on enslaved people. Natural sciences have histories of harm. That doesn't make them wrong; it makes them human. Critical theory insists on remembering those histories—and building science that doesn't repeat them."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Earth Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to earth sciences—examining how knowledge of the planet is shaped by power, politics, and economics, and how it might serve ecological justice. Critical Theory of Earth Sciences asks: Who funds earth science? For what purposes? How do corporate and state interests shape climate research, resource extraction, and environmental policy? Whose knowledge of the Earth is valued, whose ignored? Drawing on environmental justice and postcolonial science studies, it insists that earth sciences are never just about the planet—they're about who gets to study it, who benefits from that knowledge, and who pays.

"Earth science just studies the planet, they say. Critical Theory of Earth Sciences asks: studies it for whom? Oil companies fund geology to find more oil; climate science is suppressed when it threatens profit. Earth science is political. Critical theory insists on asking: whose Earth is being studied, and for whose benefit?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026