Using institutional science as the sole arbiter of truth, dismissing all other knowledge systems as illegitimate. Often involves appeals to “peer review” or “consensus” to shut down questions about bias or funding.
Empirical Domination
Claiming that only observable, measurable data counts as real knowledge. Rejects inner experiences, systemic patterns, or qualitative nuance as unscientific.
Example: “You can’t prove trauma with a ruler, so it doesn’t exist.”
Empirical Domination
Claiming that only observable, measurable data counts as real knowledge. Rejects inner experiences, systemic patterns, or qualitative nuance as unscientific.
Example: “You can’t prove trauma with a ruler, so it doesn’t exist.”
Scientific Domination Example: “Your ancestral farming knowledge is anecdotal; our lab study says otherwise.”
Epistemological Domination
Imposing one culture’s criteria for justified belief onto everyone else. What counts as evidence, reason, or proof is decided by the dominant group, making alternative ways of knowing invisible.
Example: A court rejecting oral tradition because it’s not written down.
Methodological Domination
Elevating a single research method (e.g., RCTs, statistics) as the only valid approach, while ridiculing interviews, case studies, or participatory observation as unscientific.
Example: “You didn’t use a control group? Then your data means nothing.”
Logical Domination
Using formal logic as a weapon to invalidate non-linear, metaphorical, or dialectical thinking. Assumes Aristotelian logic is universal, ignoring that other reasoning systems exist.
Example: “Your argument contains a contradiction, therefore everything you feel is false.”
Rational Domination
Reducing all decision-making to instrumental cost-benefit analysis, treating efficiency as the highest good. Dismisses ethical, emotional, or aesthetic reasoning as irrational noise.
Example: Firing 500 workers is rational because stock price went up.
Epistemological Domination
Imposing one culture’s criteria for justified belief onto everyone else. What counts as evidence, reason, or proof is decided by the dominant group, making alternative ways of knowing invisible.
Example: A court rejecting oral tradition because it’s not written down.
Methodological Domination
Elevating a single research method (e.g., RCTs, statistics) as the only valid approach, while ridiculing interviews, case studies, or participatory observation as unscientific.
Example: “You didn’t use a control group? Then your data means nothing.”
Logical Domination
Using formal logic as a weapon to invalidate non-linear, metaphorical, or dialectical thinking. Assumes Aristotelian logic is universal, ignoring that other reasoning systems exist.
Example: “Your argument contains a contradiction, therefore everything you feel is false.”
Rational Domination
Reducing all decision-making to instrumental cost-benefit analysis, treating efficiency as the highest good. Dismisses ethical, emotional, or aesthetic reasoning as irrational noise.
Example: Firing 500 workers is rational because stock price went up.
by Abzugal April 8, 2026
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