The Cullen-Snyder Framework for Evaluative Analysis of Naturopathy with Regard to Freedom (v.1.0)

Note: The Snyder aspect of this framework is drawn from the publication “On Freedom” (2024) and is not meant to portray involvement in any way by Tim Snyder whatsoever.

Overview

The Cullen-Snyder Framework for Evaluative Analysis of Naturopathy with Regard to Freedom synthesizes critical epistemology (Cullen) and political philosophy (Snyder) to assess naturopathy’s societal impacts through dual lenses of scientific integrity and human liberty. This interdisciplinary approach evaluates how naturopathic practices intersect with fundamental freedoms while maintaining analytical rigor.

Foundational Principles

• Epistemic-Social Interdependence. Combines Cullen’s concept of "epistemic conflation" (blending scientific and pseudoscientific claims) with Snyder’s "factuality freedom" (access to truth as prerequisite for liberty). Establishes that misrepresented knowledge systems inherently threaten freedom. 

• Freedom as Active Construction. Integrates Snyder’s positive freedom ("freedom to" through institutional support) with Cullen’s warning about institutional erosion from pseudoscience. Positions authentic freedom as requiring both accurate information and structural safeguards.

Key Analytical Components

A. Naturopathy’s Epistemic Profile (Cullen-Based)

• Science Camouflage Index: Measures proportion of science-exterior claims presented as science-based. 

• Institutional Legitimacy Score: Assesses academic/professional recognition relative to evidentiary support.

B. Freedom Impact Matrix (Snyder-Based). Evaluates effects on Snyder’s five freedoms:

Freedom Dimension	Naturopathy Evaluation Criteria
Sovereignty	Patient autonomy vs. misinformation risks
Unpredictability	Treatment variability and evidence consistency
Mobility	Healthcare choices constrained/preserved
Factuality	Accuracy of disclosed information
Solidarity	Community health outcomes vs. individual claims

Implementation Protocol

A. Dual Sub-Componentry Assessment:

• Epistemic Audit: Map naturopathic claims using Cullen’s knowledge-blending taxonomy.  

• Freedom Impact Analysis: Apply Snyder’s five freedoms through weighted metrics

B. Institutional Evaluation. Analyze how healthcare systems/policies:

• Enable Snyder’s "positive freedom" through science literacy.

• Counteract Cullen’s "erosion vectors" of pseudoscientific infiltration.

Synopsis

This framework provides a structured method to simultaneously evaluate medical claims’ validity and their implications for societal freedom, operationalizing Snyder’s philosophical constructs through Cullen’s empirical critique.

Primary Sourcing

Cullen, R. J. (2021). Is care founded upon epistemically unwarranted medical claims and methods an appropriate publicly-funded remedy for America's underserved and vulnerable populations' rampant healthcare inaccessibility and inequality issues? The case of Bastyr University’s Center for Natural Health and BU’s satellite community clinics. Capstone, Excelsior University.

Snyder, T. (2024). On freedom. Crown.

Perplexity AI 2025 on Vitalism - A Violation of Scientific Processes (v.1.2).

here, my musing upon Perplexity AI's response regarding the epistemic status of vitalism and science this 2025:

001. when Perplexity AI is asked "Why does vitalism violate scientific process?" this 2025-05, we're told in the summary:

[and I'll repeat for accessibility] "Summary Table: Vitalism vs. Scientific Process. Aspect Vitalism. Scientific Process. Testability. Not testable or falsifiable. Requires testable, falsifiable hypotheses. Empirical Evidence. Lacks empirical support. Demands empirical validation. Explanatory Power. Invokes metaphysical, non-material forces Relies on physical/chemical mechanisms. Role in Research. Does not lead to productive scientific inquiry. Drives discovery and refinement. In summary, vitalism violates scientific processes because it relies on untestable, metaphysical claims that cannot be empirically validated or falsified, and it has been rendered obsolete by advances in biology that provide naturalistic explanations for life’s phenomena."

I think that's a pretty excellent summation!

The Naturocrit Podcast - Episode 015c3 [s02e05c3] Script and Annotations [post 3 of 3]

002. (continued) Main text [last third -- I.3. to end]:

I.3. Phrases include, for the code of efficacious:

Code	Quote	Location	Author
Efficacious	“It is essential that the naturopathic workforce be appropriately trained to ensure they can provide safe, effective, and appropriate care to patients.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Lloyd, Hausser, Dunn
	“It is the integration of naturopathic philosophies and principles within a biomedical understanding of health and disease that defines naturopathic care. Naturopathic researchers apply these philosophies and principles to the design of research studies examining the efficacy or effectiveness of naturopathic treatments.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Redmond, Graham, Steel
	“The chapters in this Section highlight the effectiveness of naturopathic care for conditions researched by the naturopathic profession and commonly treated by naturopaths/naturopathic doctors.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Lloyd, Steel
	“Effectiveness and Efficacy of Naturopathy / Naturopathic Medicine. One hundred and two of the 237 studies (81.1%) indicated a positive clinically relevant outcome in either the primary or secondary measurements of studies included in this review.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“Another important finding was the effective role that naturopathy/naturopathic medicine appears to have in addressing the modifiable risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“Consultation with naturopathic practitioners is known to be associated with positive health behaviors, consistently show a positive role for naturopathy/naturopathic medicine as an effective intervention in a wide variety of non-communicable diseases.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“Research suggests that the naturopathic community is a translational profession, able to implement and facilitate health outcomes of interventions known to be effective.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“However, despite evidence of clinical and cost-effectiveness, lack of integration creates inequities in the accessibility of naturopathic care.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“Naturopathy/naturopathic medicine is a safe and effective intervention that has utility across different geographic regions, clinical settings and conditions, and naturopathic practitioners are trusted and consulted by the global public for a wide range of conditions. Studies demonstrate the clinical effectiveness and efficacy of naturopathic interventions in a wide variety of conditions.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“This Health Technology Assessment (HTA) report on naturopathy was compiled to provide an evidence-based summary of naturopathic practice and the safety, economics and effectiveness of naturopathic care.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Wardle, Steel, Lloyd
	“Research in whole-system, multimodality naturopathic medicine shows that it is effective in the management of conditions such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and a range of complex chronic conditions.”	“White Paper: Role of Naturopathic Practice Within a Global Pandemic” (2020)	Collective
	“Most of the clinical research in this chapter focused on naturopathic interventions in the treatment of Type II DM and have shown a variety of efficacious results.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Callan, Cooley

The Naturocrit Podcast - Episode 015c3 [s02e05c3] Script and Annotations [post 2 of 3]

002. (continued) Main text [middle third -- F.1. to I.2.]:

F.1. – PHILOSOPHY theme:

Phrases include, for the code of philosophy basis:

Code	Quote	Location	Author
Philosophy basis	“Naturopathic philosophies: vitalism and holism.”	“Naturopathic Education Accreditation Standards Comparison” (2023)	Collective
	“Vitalism and holism are the core naturopathic philosophies that guide every aspect of naturopathic care.”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Lloyd, Hausser, Myers
	“Naturopathic practice encompasses two core philosophies (vitalism and holism).”	“Naturopathy Practice, Effectiveness, Economics & Safety” (2021)	Lloyd, Hausser, Myers
	“Vitalism and holism are the core naturopathic philosophies that guide every aspect of the naturopathic encounter.”	“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017)	Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal
	“Naturopathy / naturopathic medicine is inherently based on the philosophies of vitalism and holism.”	“WNF White Paper: Naturopathic Philosophies, Principles and Theories” (2017)	Hausser, Lloyd, Yanez, Cottingham, Turner, Abascal

G. – PRINCIPLES theme: