Law of Scientific Privilege

The principle that certain scientific methods, institutions, and knowledge systems are granted unearned authority—privileged not because they're inherently superior but because they're associated with dominant power structures. The Law of Scientific Privilege argues that science is not neutral: Western science is privileged over indigenous knowledge, quantitative methods over qualitative, funded research over community inquiry. This privilege shapes what counts as knowledge, who gets to produce it, and who benefits. The law doesn't say privileged science is wrong; it says we should examine why it's privileged, what interests it serves, and what's excluded.

Example: "She'd been taught that science was simply the best way to know things. The Law of Scientific Privilege showed her otherwise: this science was privileged because it came from wealthy nations, because it served corporate interests, because it was backed by state power. Other ways of knowing existed, but they were marginalized. She started asking who benefited from her science's dominance."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026

Law of Privileged Scientific Position

The principle that certain scientific positions are granted unearned authority—privileged not because they're better supported but because they're associated with dominant institutions, funders, or research traditions. The Law of Privileged Scientific Position argues that some research gets funded, published, and cited by default; other research struggles for recognition. This privilege shapes what counts as science, what questions get asked, what answers are accepted. The law calls for examining why certain positions are privileged, who benefits, and what's excluded. It's the foundation of scientific humility, of the recognition that your position's privilege may have nothing to do with its truth.

Example: "Her research, done in community with marginalized populations, was ignored. His research, funded by corporations, was celebrated. The Law of Privileged Scientific Position explained why: his position was privileged, associated with power, with funding, with prestige. Hers wasn't. The difference wasn't evidence; it was privilege. She kept working, hoping that someday privilege would matter less."

by Abzugal February 21, 2026