The term "critique" often thrives in academic circles, but rarely among professionals—yet today's crises demand psychological engagement. Energy, war, migration, health, and economic upheavals are deeply interconnected, forming what Morin calls a polycrisis: a complex, inescapable web of challenges. The myth of psychology's neutrality is unsustainable, both theoretically and ethically. As applied psychologists, we must ask: where should we direct our knowledge and practices? Critique is not abstract; it exposes hidden crises, disrupts daily life, and reveals oppression—even when crises mask themselves as inevitabilities.
This moment forces us to confront two urgent questions: "What should we do?" and, more uncomfortably, "Which side are we on?" Consider this: a mafia boss might seek therapy, just as an executive implicated in environmental or labor crises might consult an organizational psychologist. Such encounters force critique to split: one path focuses on global injustices—judging systems harshly from a distance—while the other embraces intersubjective spaces, where reflexivity replaces judgment. Suspending judgment doesn't mean ignoring complicity, however. Research on precarious work and academia's own crises shows how we all risk perpetuating domination, even unwittingly.
The shifts are undeniable: European industry pivots to arms production, financial markets fuel militarization, welfare systems crumble, and healthcare struggles to meet escalating needs. Staying detached means forfeiting the chance to understand—and transform—these realities. To act as agents of change, psychologists must occupy the tensions between macro-critique and interpersonal reflexivity. This means building public discourse to denounce injustices and cultivating radical self-awareness in our practice.
Critique thus operates on two levels: first, by exposing systemic failures; second, by fostering reflexivity that challenges our own roles. Both require partnership—aligning with collective resistance to reshape organizations and reclaim the ethical core of our work.