"Everything has its beauty but not everyone sees it." - Confucius
Definition of Criticism
Before I enter the process of distinction between the opposite terms of criticism, I aim to be clear on the definition of criticism. By definition, the essay you are beginning to read is a critique of criticism itself. To criticise, what we are doing in a broad sense is assessing particular work and forming a conclusive opinion on the matter; whether it is an academic essay, an artistic portrait, a captured video or the structure of a newly built basketball court. We can find many synonyms to use in replacement of the term ‘criticism’ or at least to find a term that is somewhat similar but not wholly identical. Such synonyms include: assessment, judgement, opinion, review, commentary, evaluation, examination, analysis and many more. In a case of physical appearance, a friend can assist, by criticising meticulously, advising a woman in deciding what dress she wants to purchase in store. The critique can contain negative judgements as well as positive judgements – in order to help the person to decide on what to do next, what not to do or what to do better.
Destructive Criticism (“The Cynical Haters”)
Most may be familiar with the noun “hater”, a cynic who observes the attributes, skills, appearance or qualities of a particular person or a particular group of people, but to only conclude judgement – adverse and unknowledgeable judgment – without personally knowing the individual or without researching the group of people. A more formal term I have developed for the hater-type behaviour is “destructive criticism”. Destructive criticism entails judgement that appears only negative with an unknown origin for such negative behaviour towards the other party. The possible reasons for why a hater would destructively criticise another individual may be due to personal indifference or past events of which changed the hater’s view of the individual, from friendly to hostile. Music is a perfect example that entails a lot of destructive criticism. If a person does not like a genre of music out of personal taste or out of societal popularity, then that person may be obliged to express ones distaste for that genre; a dislike that is only biased and prejudice without good reason. It is easy to identify destructive criticism if you were to take a moment to consider the manner of the person’s critique: if you cannot get any good points from the criticiser as to why your work is distasteful (for example, the person may reply, “I just think your work is rubbish”) then you have found yourself a hater. But if the criticiser evaluates your work in a friendly manner, pointing out negative concepts as well as offering positive improvements, then that would be more constructive. Constructive Criticism (“The Pleasant Evaluators”) When we ask our friends and tutors what their thoughts are on a project (might it be an essay, drawing, musical work etc.) we mostly receive criticism that discusses the pros and cons; but discussed in an encouraging and pleasant manner rather than a bigoted, prejudiced and hateful manner like that of destructive criticism. There is little to elaborate on constructive criticism because it is more familiarised than its opposition (destructive criticism). In academia, when writing long essays, we are advised to add a conclusion and an evaluation. Students are not advised to express how much they dislike their project or assignment; they are instead advised to identify the good and bad aspects of it in an unbiased written form. Destructive criticism and constructive criticism are not to be confused or unrecognised as it relates not only to education or professions, but to general society such as bullying, ‘hating’ and prejudice. This is why I attempt to raise awareness on the matter of criticism and its two main distinctions. References http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/criticism http://www.thesaurus.com/browse/criticism
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Daniel C. MeesThe Blog of Sincerity, featuring contrarian, polemical and critical writings on politics, religion, social philosophy, left-right spectrum, books, sociopolitical concerns, secularism and such - by Daniel C. Mees.
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January 2017
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