Critical Theory of Sciences

The application of Critical Theory to the plurality of sciences—examining how different sciences are shaped by different power structures, how disciplinary boundaries reflect social hierarchies, and how the sciences together form a system that can both illuminate and obscure. Critical Theory of Sciences asks: Why are some sciences prestigious and others marginal? How do disciplines police their borders? What knowledge is excluded when sciences define themselves? It studies the politics of disciplinarity, the economics of research, and the social construction of scientific authority across fields. Not one science, but many—each with its own politics.

"Physics at the top, sociology at the bottom—that's not just about rigor. Critical Theory of Sciences asks: what power structures create that hierarchy? Who benefits? What knowledge gets excluded when we rank sciences? The sciences are many, and their arrangement reflects society's values, not just nature's. Critical theory maps the politics of the whole scientific field."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Epistemology

The application of Critical Theory to epistemology itself—examining how theories of knowledge are shaped by power, how epistemological standards reflect social hierarchies, and how the very concept of "knowledge" can serve domination. Critical Theory of Epistemology asks: Who gets to define what counts as knowledge? Whose ways of knowing are validated, whose dismissed? How have epistemological standards been used to exclude women, people of color, colonized peoples? It doesn't abandon epistemology but insists that theories of knowledge must be self-aware about their own politics. Epistemology without power analysis is just ideology in disguise.

"Western epistemology says knowledge requires propositional justification. Critical Theory of Epistemology asks: says who? Whose epistemology? What about embodied knowledge, tacit knowledge, indigenous knowledge? The standards aren't neutral; they're political. Epistemology that ignores power becomes a tool of exclusion. Critical theory insists on asking: who gets to know, and who decides?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Logic

The application of Critical Theory to logic—examining how logical systems are shaped by cultural contexts, how logical standards reflect social power, and how logic can serve as a tool of domination rather than liberation. Critical Theory of Logic asks: Why is classical logic privileged over other logics? How have logical standards been used to dismiss non-Western reasoning? Whose interests are served by treating logic as neutral and universal? It doesn't reject logic but insists that logic, like everything human, has politics. Logic without self-awareness becomes a weapon.

"They say classical logic is universal, the only real logic. Critical Theory of Logic asks: universal for whom? Developed where? Serving what interests? Indigenous logics, Eastern logics, feminist logics exist—but they're marginalized. Logic isn't neutral when one logic gets to define what logic is. Critical theory studies the politics behind the premises."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Reason

The application of Critical Theory to reason itself—examining how reason has been defined, who has been considered reasonable, and how reason has been used to exclude and dominate. Critical Theory of Reason asks: Why have women, people of color, and colonized peoples been deemed less rational? How has "reason" been defined against "emotion," "instinct," "body"—and how have those binaries served power? It doesn't abandon reason but insists on a reason that includes, that reflects, that knows its own history. Reason without self-critique becomes unreason.

"Enlightenment reason was supposed to liberate, but it also justified colonialism—'they're not rational enough to govern themselves.' Critical Theory of Reason asks: what kind of reason excludes half humanity? Reason can be a tool of liberation, but only if it remembers its own crimes. Critical theory insists on a reason that reflects, not just asserts."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Rationality

The application of Critical Theory to rationality—examining how standards of rationality are constructed, how they shift across contexts, and how they're used to privilege some ways of thinking while marginalizing others. Critical Theory of Rationality asks: What counts as rational in different cultures, different eras, different domains? Who gets to be called rational? How has "rationality" been weaponized against dissent, against emotion, against alternative ways of knowing? It doesn't reject rationality but insists that rationality must be democratized, pluralized, and self-aware.

"He calls himself rational and everyone else emotional. Critical Theory of Rationality asks: rational by what standard? Whose rationality? The rationality of the boardroom differs from the rationality of the community. Treating your rationality as the only rationality is power, not logic. Critical theory insists on asking: who gets to be rational, and who decides?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Philosophy

The application of Critical Theory to philosophy itself—examining how the discipline has been shaped by power, whose voices have been included or excluded, and how philosophy can serve liberation rather than domination. Critical Theory of Philosophy asks: Why is the canon so white, so male, so Western? What counts as philosophy, and who decides? How has philosophy been used to justify hierarchy? It doesn't abandon philosophy but insists on a philosophy that reflects, that includes, that transforms. Philosophy without self-critique is just ideology with footnotes.

"Your philosophy degree covered nothing but dead white men. Critical Theory of Philosophy asks: why? Where are the women? The non-Western thinkers? The voices from below? The canon isn't natural; it's constructed—and that construction reflects power. Critical theory doesn't reject philosophy; it demands a philosophy that includes everyone, that questions everything, including itself."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Technology

The application of Critical Theory to technology—examining how technologies are shaped by social forces, how they embed values and power relations, and how they can serve domination or liberation. Critical Theory of Technology asks: Who designs technology? For whom? With what values? How do technologies reinforce hierarchy or enable freedom? Drawing on thinkers like Heidegger, Marcuse, Feenberg, and Winner, it insists that technology is never neutral—it's politics by other means. Understanding technology requires understanding the society that produces it, and imagining technology otherwise requires imagining society otherwise.

"Your phone is just a tool, they say. Critical Theory of Technology asks: a tool designed by whom? With what values? Collecting what data? Serving what interests? Technology isn't neutral; it's frozen politics. The question isn't just what technology does, but who it does it for. Critical theory insists on asking: could technology be different in a different society?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026