• As you say, such characterizations are a matter of opinion. That’s quite unlike medical knowledge which is established by objective, not subjective, evidence. Generally I hear such accusations leveled at credible, mainstream sources that don’t fit the narrative of those on the far left.

    • They aren’t a matter of opinion though, there are defining characteristics accepted by a historied scholarly community that correspond with these words. There are ranges of perspectives as is common in any social science, so it is viewed as a ‘softer’ science compared to physics or chemistry but it is a science no less.

      It may be common for criticial leftists to use these sort of terms flippantly, but that doesn’t remove their meaning or usefulness in the larger discourse.