Theoreticism
Theoreticism is a term used across philosophy, theology, and the social sciences to describe an orientation that places theory at the center of inquiry, often treating theoretical systems, models, or deductions as primary sources of knowledge. In this sense, theoreticism can be understood as a stance that privileges abstract reasoning over empirical data, historical context, or practical application. The term is usually used critically to point to a tendency to subordinate observation to preexisting theoretical frameworks, or to treat theory as determining interpretation rather than being constrained by evidence.
In philosophy, theoreticism is associated with rationalist or deductive approaches that emphasize systematic coherence, sometimes at
In theology and religious studies, it can refer to scholarly or doctrinal approaches that foreground abstract
In the social sciences and humanities, critics have used theoreticism to describe research programs that develop
Proponents of more empirical, contextual, or pragmatic methods argue that theory should illuminate practice rather than
The concept is often discussed in relation to debates about the respective roles of theory, method, and