Criticism

Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. , ''the act of giving your opinion or judgment about the good or bad qualities of something or someone or the act of saying that something or someone is bad'' Criticism falls into several overlapping types including "theoretical, practical, impressionistic, affective, prescriptive, or descriptive". , ''"The reasoned discussion of literary works, an activity which may include some or all of the following procedures, in varying proportions: the defence of literature against moralists and censors, classification of a work according to its genre, interpretation of its meaning, analysis of its structure and style, judgement of its worth by comparison with other works, estimation of its likely effect on readers, and the establishment of general principles by which literary works can be evaluated and understood."''

Criticism may also refer to an expression of disapproval of someone or something. When criticism of this nature is constructive, it can make an individual aware of gaps in their understanding and it can provide distinct routes for improvement. Research supports the notion that using feedback and constructive criticism in the learning process is very influential.

Critique vs. criticism: In French, German, or Italian, no distinction is drawn between 'critique' and 'criticism'. The two words both translate as ''critique'', ''Kritik'', and ''critica'', respectively.Gianni Vattimobr>''Postmodern criticism: postmodern critique''
in David Wood (1990) ''Writing the future'', pp. 57–58 In the English language, philosopher Gianni Vattimo suggests that ''criticism'' is used more frequently to denote literary criticism or art criticism while ''critique'' refers to more general and profound writing such as Kant's '' Critique of Pure Reason''. Another distinction that is sometimes made is that ''critique'' is never personalized nor ''ad hominem'' and is presented in a way that encourages rebuttal or expansion of the ideas expressed. Nonetheless, the distinctions are subtle and ambiguous at best.

The term "''brickbat''" is sometimes used to mean "an unfavourable criticism, unkind remark or sharp put-down". The term originated in the 17th century, derived from the practice of throwing bricks as projectiles at a person who was disapproved of.

In some contexts, such as ''literary criticism'' and ''art criticism'', the word ''criticism'' is used as a neutral word that is synonymous with ''evaluation.''

Critical theory and Postmodernism

Critical Theory and related Critical Studies criticize power structures. Critical Studies include Critical legal studies, Critical race theory, and Critical Pedagogy. The critical legal studies include criticism of the distinction between political argument and legal argument (''Everything is political''),Price, David Andrew. "Taking rights cynically: a review of critical legal studies." The Cambridge Law Journal 48.2 (1989): 271-301.
/ref> rule of law and separation of powers.

Critical theory is distinct but related to Postmodernism, which criticizes scientific rationalism and objective reality.

Criticism of criticism

Journalist and writer H. L. Mencken argued that "criticism is little more than a branch of homiletics. They judge a work of art, not by its clarity and sincerity, not by the force and charm of its ideas, not by the technical virtuosity of the artist, not by his originality and artistic courage, but simply and solely by his orthodoxy."

See also

* Critique
* Literary criticism
* Art criticism
* Film criticism
* Theatre criticism
* Criticism of religion
* Criticism of science
* Self-criticism
* Social criticism

References

External links

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Philosophical methodology
Literary concepts