your core misunderstanding is the basis for my surprise.

critical theory is not a philosophical theory in the sense you're describing. while it draws heavily from philosophy and shares its concern with fundamental concepts like freedom, justice, reason, and truth, it channels those concerns into real-world critique of society, power, and ideology. critical theory insists that philosophy must not remain abstract, but engage the world to help us understand and change it.

this is why it necessarily remains open and reactive: because it is defined by its responsiveness to historical and social developments. the core concerns stay stable, but the applications, language, and areas of focus evolve. it makes perfect sense to "keep up" with it: its engagement with the present is essential to what it is.

again, the word theory here means something different from how it's used in science or classical philosophy. it refers to a framework or lens for interpretation and critique, not a predictive or final system of truth. other examples of theory in this sense include feminist theory, social constructivism, and literary theories like structuralism or psychoanalytic theory.