KDOS Domain Taxonomy v1.0
Core principles (read once)
Domains are “what kind of knowledge this is”, not what it’s about.
Domains change slowly; tags change freely.
Every entry should have 1–3 domains, never more.
If unsure between two domains:
- Ask: which discipline would teach this?
Tier-1 Canonical Domains (lock these)
These are top-level, first-class domains.
1. Mathematics
Abstract structures, formal systems, proofs, and quantitative reasoning.
Examples:
Probability theory
Linear algebra
Optimization
Graph theory
2. Statistics
Inference, uncertainty, data modeling, and estimation.
Examples:
Bayesian updating
Hypothesis testing
Regression
Sampling theory
3. Computer Science
Computation, algorithms, software systems, and formal models of computing.
Examples:
Algorithms
Data structures
Operating systems
Compilers
4. Engineering
Applied technical design grounded in physical constraints.
Examples:
Electrical engineering
Mechanical systems
Control theory
Signal processing
5. Physics
Fundamental laws governing matter, energy, space, and time.
Examples:
Classical mechanics
Thermodynamics
Quantum theory
Electromagnetism
6. Chemistry
Structure, properties, and transformations of matter.
Examples:
Organic chemistry
Reaction kinetics
Materials chemistry
7. Biology
Living systems, from molecules to ecosystems.
Examples:
Genetics
Evolution
Physiology
Microbiology
8. Medicine
Clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic knowledge.
Examples:
Pathophysiology
Pharmacology
Diagnostics
(Rule: use Medicine, not Biology, for clinical context.)
9. Economics
Production, exchange, incentives, and resource allocation.
Examples:
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
Game theory
Monetary theory
10. Finance
Capital allocation, markets, risk, and valuation.
Examples:
Portfolio theory
Derivatives
Trading systems
Risk management
11. Philosophy
Foundational questions about reality, knowledge, ethics, and meaning.
Examples:
Epistemology
Metaphysics
Ethics
Philosophy of mind
12. History
Study of past events, civilizations, and temporal causation.
Examples:
Roman history
Industrial revolution
Intellectual history
13. Psychology
Mind, cognition, behavior, and affect.
Examples:
Cognitive bias
Learning theory
Psychometrics
14. Linguistics
Language structure, meaning, and evolution.
Examples:
Syntax
Semantics
Historical linguistics
15. Sociology
Social structures, institutions, and group behavior.
Examples:
Social networks
Institutions
Demographics
16. Anthropology
Human cultures, evolution, and material practices.
Examples:
Cultural anthropology
Archaeology
Ethnography
17. Law
Legal systems, doctrines, and jurisprudence.
Examples:
Contract law
Constitutional law
Legal theory
18. Political Science
Power, governance, political systems, and ideology.
Examples:
Political theory
Comparative politics
International relations
19. Ethics
Applied and normative moral reasoning.
(Separate from Philosophy when practical/decision-oriented.)
Examples:
Bioethics
Professional ethics
AI ethics
20. Logic
Formal reasoning systems and inference rules.
Examples:
Propositional logic
Predicate logic
Modal logic
21. Metaphysics
Ontology, causation, time, and existence.
(Used when topic is purely ontological rather than philosophical-historical.)
22. Epistemology
Theory of knowledge, belief, and justification.
23. Aesthetics
Theory of beauty, art, and perception.
24. Theology
Religious doctrines, systems, and metaphysical theology.
25. Mythology
Mythic narratives, symbols, and comparative myth.
26. Literature
Literary works, criticism, and narrative theory.
27. Education
Learning theory, pedagogy, and instructional systems.
28. Systems
General systems theory, cybernetics, complexity.
Examples:
Feedback loops
Emergence
System dynamics
29. Information Theory
Encoding, transmission, entropy, and signal limits.
30. Meta
Knowledge about knowledge.
Examples:
KDOS standards
Ontologies
Methodology
Research design
Explicit exclusions (important)
These are NOT domains — they are tags:
AI
Machine learning
Stoicism
Trading
Programming languages
Tools
Techniques
Schools of thought
Those go in tags.