Gender, decolonization, privilege, fat-shaming. Having transitioned from academic articles to everyday language, these words increasingly influence our perception of the world. But where did they originate? Their source is a collection of critical theories that emerged during the postmodern turn, with its focus on questioning power, knowledge, and truth. Nothing—from sex and history textbooks to medical diagnoses and architecture—can escape the scrutiny of activists determined to identify and eliminate all forms of oppression.

Helen Pluckrose and James Lindsay argue that, despite the noble intention of making the world a bit fairer, critical theories, with their almost religious zeal and black-and-white worldview, pose a threat to both academia and society. "Cynical Theories" is a meticulous and lively analysis of the main tenets of "activist scholarship," its internal logic, and contradictions.

This book will help you delve into the contemporary intellectual context, understand the motivations of the sides in cultural wars, and navigate debates on topics that often seem elusive.