Law of Logical Privilege

The principle that certain logical systems, methods, or positions are granted unearned authority—privileged not because they're superior but because they're associated with dominant institutions, cultures, or power structures. The Law of Logical Privilege argues that logic is not neutral: some ways of reasoning are privileged, others marginalized. Western formal logic is taught as "logic" while other logical traditions are ignored; scientific reasoning is treated as "rational" while indigenous knowledge is dismissed. The law doesn't say privileged logic is wrong; it says we should examine why it's privileged, who benefits, and what's excluded.

Example: "He'd always assumed that the logic he learned in school was just logic—the only way to reason properly. The Law of Logical Privilege showed him otherwise: this logic was privileged because it came from the dominant culture, because it served dominant institutions, because it was taught in dominant schools. Other logics existed, but they were marginalized. He started asking why his logic was on top."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026

Law of Privileged Logical Position

The principle that certain logical positions are granted unearned authority—privileged not because they're stronger but because they're associated with dominant institutions, cultures, or power structures. The Law of Privileged Logical Position argues that some arguments are taken seriously by default, others must fight to be heard. This privilege is invisible to those who hold it—they just think they're being logical. The law calls for examining why certain positions are privileged, who benefits, and what's excluded. It's the foundation of logical humility, of the recognition that your position's privilege may have nothing to do with its validity.

Example: "In every debate, his position was taken seriously by default. Hers was questioned, challenged, dismissed. The Law of Privileged Logical Position explained why: his position was privileged, associated with power, with institutions, with the mainstream. Hers wasn't. The difference wasn't logic; it was privilege. He started noticing, started questioning, started listening."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026