Critical Theory

Critical theory is a social, historical and political school of thought and philosophical perspective which centers on analyzing and challenging systemic power relations in society, arguing that knowledge, truth and social structures are fundamentally shaped by power dynamics between dominant and oppressed groups. Beyond understanding and critiquing those dynamics, it explicitly aims to transform society through praxis and collective action with a sociopolitical purpose. Unlike traditional social theories that aim mainly to describe and understand society, it positions itself as both an analytical framework and a movement for social change, examining how dominant groups and structures influence what a society considers objective truth. It is recorded here as its own tradition because the source enum label pairs it with Marxism, and both are linked.