[48th Thread: Criticism]{part-1}

Since time immemorial, Criticism has its place & value in human history. Criticism in its reality is a human experience & phenomenon; no aspect of our lives is free from it.

In this series, I wanna dicuss 4 key parts pertainent to Criticism.
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Part 1: - LEGITIMACY -

In regards to the legitimacy of criticism & the value it brings to society & scientific pursuit, I don’t think there would be anyone who'd disagree that criticism is part & parcel of human life. Criticism is to uncover the error in an idea,
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experience or person, in order to correct it.
In every spectrum of society it's mandatory there exists some form of dialectic & discussion. We all are acutely aware that without the critique of a critic, or the help of others in correcting our ideas, it’s entirely possible &
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plausible that we have made mistakes & errors without realising it.
We'd also refer to the Prophetic movement to be an instance of societal critique. In this light no one would disagree that critique has a beneficial value to life. However, there are 2 attitudes to the extent
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jurisdiction & scope of Criticism.

MAXIMALIST APPROACH

This approach takes the view that all areas of society, economy or politics, should be open to criticism. Even those parts of society that are cultural or artistic are to be held to critique. Criticism should become
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the cornerstone of society & by doing so it will create a reformed society & a systemic cultural & intellectual balance.

This group doesn't deny that there should be specific rules & regulations that limit criticism in certain areas,but they seek to create general principles
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that allow for the free flow of criticism.
They take it as a sociological principle that the door of criticism should always be open as this paves the way in correcting other people errors. Critique itself could have its shortcomings as well but we require a general framework.
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Following evidences are present by this group to support their worldview.

1. History of science & the role of criticism in its progress

2. The role of criticism in balancing power & knowledge

3. Criticism being a noble mission pursued by the righteous

I. The development of
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science is the greatest proof of the positive role that criticism plays & its primacy in scientific life.

The sciences that we see today in all of their glory didn't become this way except through the hundreds and thousands of critiques & debates.

The 1st generation laid
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the foundation,the 2nd generation refined the work of the 1st generation & 3rd generation then refined the work of the 2nd generation & so forth until we now have the sciences we've today.

We'd find around 90% of our intellectual heritage is nothing but the critical attempts
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of scholars in revising & refining the opinions & views of their predecessors.

For ex - The dispute between the theologians & the philosophers in Islamic creed led to the rich doctrinal heritage which is purely a result of the spirited efforts of the intellectual & critical

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activities.

II. Criticism also plays a pivotal role in balancing power & knowledge in society. If there is no criticism allowed in society then some in power may usurp all authority for themselves as there will be no one to hold them to account. This could lead to the

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stagnation of the society, both politically & scientifically. Also, the policies this unchallenged party take could plunge the society into chaos.

With the infrastructure of critique in place,it won’t be possible to monopolise a society or to impose one type of idea or law.

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For ex - Currently, India is going through a totalitarian type of power & laws are imposed on people without critique & exchange of opinions. This way, the rights of minorities are being crushed.

III.Criticism is considered to be an instance of calling one another to good &

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refraining from bad, for in reality criticism is nothing but presenting to people a gift through which he/she can correct their own actions & thoughts.

MINIMALIST APPROACH

Proponents of this view deal with criticism with a great amount of concern & caution. This group

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constantly finds itself in a state of worry & stress as a result of criticism, paying more attention to it’s risk & problems than on it’s positive aspects.

Minimalists consider the concept of criticism to be intertwined with destruction & carnage. According to this

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understanding when a person is described as a Critic, it means that this person merely wishes to destroy & the reason to critique is driven by personal agenda & motivated by feelings of animosity.

Although they ,in principle, accept criticism, this acceptance is constrained
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by a concern of destruction & is laden with suspicions of enmity. 

Due to this perception, when a person faces criticism, he then would treat the critic aggressively.

COMPARISON OF THE 2 VIEWS

There is a big difference between the two views.

One view openly welcome

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criticism without any reservations whereas the other view, while accepting criticism, takes a heavily precautious approach & seeks to ensure criticism is heavily regulated & suppressed.

This distinction is essential as our opinion on criticism will shape the way we react &

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engage with differing opinions.
If our opinion is maximalist, we adopt a positive attitude to critique & our reaction will differ from someone who takes a more reserved & hostile minimalist view.

2 steps can help us in the process:-

1. Genuine acknowledgement of fallibility
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The first step in determining the default position towards criticism is to genuinely acknowledge our fallibility.

There needs to be an acceptance of this fact at the subconscious level, for there is a big difference between acknowledging superficially that we are fallible
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[and continuing to act as if everything we believe and say is absolutely correct] and sincerely recognising it to be our inescapable reality.

Additionally, when we acknowledge our fallibility we also acknowledge that we're in need of critique, of help in correcting areas

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where we might have erred & that critique should be welcomed & not fought against.

2. Separating criticism from the negative actions of some critics

The 2nd step which would help us to know what type of approach we should have towards criticism, is the distinction between
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criticism(in & of itself)& some of the negativity adopted by critics.

For ex - Do we not call people to distinguish between Islam & the actions of some Muslims?

Keeping this in mind, we'd posit that criticism is a real need in human life, yet at times it's been misused by
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those not worthy of performing it.
This distinction will help us get a clearer understanding on how we should approach criticism & deal with differences of opinion in society.

We know that sociological principles aren't absolute, they've many exceptions that all people

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accept.
Even those countries which purport to support absolute freedom of speech have exceptions & areas where they will prohibit that said freedom.
Similarly we can't allow criticism to be given an absolute free reign but rather there must be areas where this is restricted.
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Another thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to ethical values, it is natural for people to exploit & misuse them. 
Knowledge is one such example, which is valuable but still being exploited.

Criticism is just like this, there is no reason why criticism would be an
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exception to misuse as we have seen it happen in history for other things. 
There should be a balanced position between these 2 extremes.

CONCLUSION

A person may conclude that it'd be more befitting to take the maximalist position & consider the act of criticism a

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noble task which works towards the betterment of society and growth of knowledge. 
But exceptions should also be considered & dealt with accordingly wherever it's necessary...

END!!!

***To be continued***
With {part-2} :)

A critical analysis on "Criticism" itself . Read, critique & share!!!

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A thread on "Criticism" & its legitimacy.
Other parts will follow soon...

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