10 Facts About Engaged theory

Engaged theory is a methodological framework for understanding social complexity.

Engaged theory provides a framework that moves from detailed empirical analysis about things, people and processes in the world to abstract theory about the constitution and social framing of those things, people and processes.

Engaged theory is one approach within the broader tradition of critical theory.

At its most general, the term engaged theory is used to describe theories that provide a tool box for engaging with the world while seeking to change it.

One lineage of engaged theory is called the 'constitutive abstraction' approach associated with a group of writers publishing in Arena Journal such as John Hinkson, Geoff Sharp, and Simon Cooper.

All of its concern for epistemological grounding, Engaged theory is an approach that is 'in the world'.

Engaged theory is more explicit than most about its political standpoint.

However, the other important dimension is that any Engaged theory needs to be aware of its own tendencies to be ideologically driven by dominant concerns of its day.

Similarly, critical Engaged theory sometimes fails to be reflexive of what it means to be critical or advocate social change.

Example, the Circles of Sustainability approach is a form of engaged theory distinguishing between different domains of social life.