Latour proposed in 2004 that criticism has exhausted its momentum, triggering a reflection on criticism in the Western academic community. Schmid believed that the critical theory of the Frankfurt School faced a crisis, but provided an opportunity to examine contemporary criticism. Philsky proposed post critical theory in "The Limits of Criticism" with the aim of solving critical problems and stepping out of the shadows. Post critical theory has received attention in the literary theory community, which helps to understand the relationship between post criticism, criticism, and theory, and to grasp the role and significance of criticism in literary research.

Criticism and dissatisfaction

Criticism is a long-standing intellectual tradition in the humanities, originating from Kant and Marx, and widely applied in fields such as postcolonialism and feminism. It represents rigorous knowledge, mature theory, and uncompromising attitude towards the current situation, emphasizing the spirit of skeptical reflection and thorough condemnation. Criticism is manifested in literary research as the pursuit of truth and the pursuit of social mechanism change, but as it becomes the default position in academic research, it has also given rise to many problems. Kant's critical philosophy has been criticized by postmodern thinkers such as Latour for causing a division between center and periphery, nature and culture. Doubtful hermeneutics, as a form of criticism, has had a profound impact on literary research by exposing the illusions and lies of consciousness through demystification techniques. However, skeptical hermeneutics has also led to distrust of texts and hostility towards appearances, making criticism a theoretical assumption that limits the diversity of literary research. Philsky proposed the concept of post criticism in "The Limits of Criticism", questioning the superior epistemological position of criticism and advocating that criticism should have its limits. Post criticism does not cancel criticism, but points out the theoretical limitations of criticism.

Post criticism and critique: re examining criticism and its limitations

Explored the origin of post critical theory and Philsky's analysis of the limitations of critical theory. Philsky proposed the post critical theory, aiming to deepen the understanding of the advantages of criticism by understanding its limitations. She believes that since the 1970s, critical theory has become the dominant mode of literary research, focusing on the political and social aspects of texts and viewing them as reflections of social structures. Philsky herself grew up in a critical atmosphere, and her early research was synchronized with high theory. She demonstrated the limitations of criticism through a post critical stance and proposed post critical reading as a supplement and alternative. Post critical reading rejects the theoretical model of criticism, attempting to transcend skepticism and explore new interpretive methods. The new word Crrritique created by Philsky personifies the frequent use of criticism, implying its shift from philosophical speculation to clich é s. Post criticism and critique have a theoretical relationship, and post criticism is not anti criticism, but rather an exploration of other theoretical spaces outside of criticism. Philsky criticized criticism in "The Limits of Criticism," but she distinguished between post criticism and critical criticism, believing that post criticism is a critique of meta criticism. Despite being criticized, Philsky clarified that post criticism is aimed at a series of philosophical principles and modes of interpretation, rather than specific critical methods, and she is interested in changing rather than reinterpreting criticism.

Post criticism and theory: the limits of criticism or the limits of theory

Explored the concept of "post criticism" and its relationship with theory, particularly the issue of the limits of criticism. Philsky proposed post criticism in "The Limits of Criticism", not to oppose criticism or theory, but to point out that the effectiveness of criticism and theory in textual interpretation is limited. She expressed her complex relationship with criticism through metaphors and emphasized that post criticism is not "anti criticism". However, this viewpoint has sparked controversy in the Western academic community, with many theorists viewing it as a new form of anti theory.

Has post criticism exhausted its motivation?

Explored the vitality and potential for development of post critical theory. Gallup questioned whether the post criticism had exhausted its momentum and believed that it still had theoretical vitality. Jagoda used post criticism to reflect on critical theory, while Philsky used post criticism to test new possibilities and intellectual choices, reflecting a re reflection on literary research. Although Philsky had less discussion on the methodology of post criticism in "The Limits of Criticism," she expanded on related issues in other works, emphasizing that the relationship between post criticism and criticism is complementary rather than antagonistic. The post critical recognition of the limited effectiveness of its own theoretical interpretation reflects a conscious awareness of theoretical reflection. Bonz et al. argue that criticism based on negative, judgmental, and oppositional modes has exhausted its momentum, but criticism as an attitude and mode of inquiry has not exhausted its momentum. Post criticism provides an opportunity to re-examine literary research and is a new attempt to return to criticism. It is expected to become a feasible path to break free from the crisis of criticism and revitalize criticism.