Conceptual problems in the body-space conceptualizations in A Cyborg Manifesto in the context of Sartori’s conceptual analysis

Abstract

A Cyborg Manifesto, one of the key texts of posthumanist theory, is frequently referenced in research across various fields such as science, philosophy, art, and design. The authors of this study suggest that some research using A Cyborg Manifesto as a methodological tool to ensure scientific validity may encounter challenges due to the way certain concepts within the text are formulated. With this in mind, the study focuses on architectural research that engages with the manifesto, based on the idea that conceptual inconsistencies in a source may lead to limitations in establishing scientific validity. Accordingly, the research examines how concepts are constructed within the body-space conceptualizations in the manifesto, with the hypothesis that these concepts may not have been formulated accurately. Giovanni Sartori’s method of conceptual misformation is applied, analyzing a specific argument from the manifesto’s body-space conceptualizations where conceptual inconsistencies are identified. In this analysis, issues of conceptual stretching and conceptual confusion are observed. By emphasizing the importance of clear and consistent conceptual use in architectural research, this study aims to contribute to the broader discourse on scientific knowledge production. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.