Critical Theory of Progress

The application of Critical Theory to the concept of progress—examining how narratives of progress serve power, whose progress is counted, whose is ignored, and what costs are hidden. Critical Theory of Progress asks: Progress for whom? At whose expense? Measured by what standards? Who benefits from believing we're progressing? It doesn't reject progress but insists on asking hard questions: progress toward what? For whom? And what's been left behind? Progress without critique is just the powerful congratulating themselves.

"Look how far we've come, they say. Critical Theory of Progress asks: who's 'we'? Who's been left behind? What's been destroyed along the way? Progress for some has meant displacement for others. Critical theory doesn't deny progress; it insists on asking whose progress, at what cost, and whether we could progress differently."

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026

Critical Theory of Scientific Progress

The application of Critical Theory to narratives of scientific progress—examining how "progress" is defined, who benefits, and what costs are hidden. Critical Theory of Scientific Progress asks: Progress for whom? Measured how? At whose expense? What's lost when we focus only on advances? Drawing on critiques of technological rationality and progress narratives, it insists that scientific progress is never just progress—it's also displacement, destruction, forgetting. Understanding progress requires understanding its shadow.

"Look how far science has come! Critical Theory of Scientific Progress asks: far for whom? At what cost? Scientific progress has meant displacement for some, exploitation for others. The same progress that gave us antibiotics also gave us eugenics. Critical theory insists on asking: progress toward what, for whom, and what's been left behind?"

by Abzugal Nammugal Enkigal March 4, 2026