By Leonard Ekene

Critical Synthetic Realism (CSR) is the comprehensive philosophical framework developed by Januarius Asongu to address the epistemic, ethical, educational, and institutional crises of contemporary global society. This article offers the first systematic, journal-length exposition of CSR as an integrated philosophy encompassing metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, philosophy of science, philosophy of education, political philosophy, and philosophy of religion. Against the twin failures of epistemic absolutism and relativism, CSR affirms ontological realism, epistemic fallibilism, and moral realism while incorporating critical awareness of historical, social, and institutional mediation. Drawing primarily on The Splendor of Truth: A Critical Philosophy of Knowledge and Global Agency, this study reconstructs CSR as a truth-oriented yet corrigible philosophical system [1]. It argues that CSR represents a distinctive contribution to contemporary realism by grounding scientific inquiry, educational formation, ethical responsibility, and legitimate authority in a unified account of reality, knowledge, and human dignity.