And just wait until you get to "critical theory". I fear the word "theory" in English is indeed stretched in a continuous fog from the hardest of physics to the foggiest of spurious postmodernist notions, with little in the way of joins to carve it at. Thus, cross-domain equivocation will be with us for a while yet.
And? Invoking critical theory doesn't scare me off. I'm as post-modern as you are likely to meet here at LW.
I agree that the the word "theory" needs an adjective or it is underspecified. Scientific theories are different from moral theories. Let me repeat: If I can't talk about the "theory" of utilitarianism, what word should I use instead to capture the concept?
If it's worth saying, but not worth its own post (even in Discussion), then it goes here.
If continuing the discussion becomes impractical, that means you win at open threads; a celebratory top-level post on the topic is traditional.