CRITICISM AS AN INTELLECTUAL MIRROR

CRITICISM AS AN INTELLECTUAL MIRROR Welcome It GENERALLY, no one likes to be criticised. Some people go to the extreme of abhorring any kind of criticism. But that is an unhealthy response, for criticism and dissent are positive elements in the lives of individuals and for societies. An American scholar in answer to the question “What is the most important aspect of western culture?” replied: “Freedom of expression.” Elaborating on this point, he stated that in the West, dissent was taken whether right, wrong, good or bad—as a sacred right of the individual. Criticism is part of intellectual exchange. When you discuss an issue with someone without any reservation, what you have to say is very likely to take the form of criticism. In any critical process there are two people: one who criticises and one who is the object of criticism. The former may expound a divergent viewpoint in a frank and open manner, and this encourages the latter to discover a new aspect of the subject under discussion. So criticism is good for both persons concerned. The universe of thought is vast. No single person can cover all arenas of thought or knowledge. Given this situation, criticism affords the opportunity to broaden and enhance one’s field of knowledge. It is a kind of give-and-take process. For example, a mirror is also a critic—in a purely physical sense. If you have a spot on your face, the mirror will instantly draw your attention to it. And you accept this without the slightest reluctance. The same is true of the critic, who is like an intellectual mirror. If he points out some fault in your thinking, then you have to accept it. If you are not in a position to accept it instantly, you have at least to give thought to the point he makes. A negative reaction is not good because it is infructuous, both in the case of the intellectual mirror and the physical mirror. Criticism is a process rather than an end. It entails discussion, which leads to intellectual development. Indeed, through the process of Criticism affords the opportunity to broaden and enhance one's field of knowledge. It is a kind of give-and-take process.