Slovenska Literatura (Nov 2011)
Critical thinking between Act of War and the aesthetics of existence
Abstract
In the article I attempt to outline three different concepts of critical thinking which are - in my opinion - strongly present in the contemporary philosophical, aesthetical and social-scientific reflection. I characterize the first concept in a somewhat radical way as Act of War. The concept is characterized by adopting a radical form of Perspectivism and perceiving society or culture as something fundamentally constituted by power relations. Therefore the working methods typical of this type of thinking can preferably be described by means of local and temporary strategies and tactics. I consider the second type of thinking a positive and creative pre-definition of premises of historical-political discourse, which is in the backgrounds of the previous type of thinking. I borrow Michel Foucault´s term "the aesthetics of existence" to denominate this type of critical thinking. The essential characteristic of this type of thinking is - in my view - perceiving criticism as a historical-practical test of frontiers, as an experimental tool which enables us to create ourselves. I also take mariginal notice of the third type of critical thinking which is defined as an analytical research of the conditions of truthfulness, critical thinking which perceives itself as a guard of the frontier that cannot be crossed. In order to illustrate all the three types of critical thinking, I find it most appropriate to use Michel Foucault´s reflections.
