I like to
differentiate critique and criticism, something that might not exist in form I will
describe here in English language. So bear with me. If you are willing to differentiate – main difference
is reason for giving it to somebody. Critique (as defined here) is motivated
with desire to help dear friend or beloved person on area(s) where they have
chance to improve. Although it cannot be seen always, critique is mostly
motivated by sincere interest for wellbeing of person you are critiquing.
Criticism (used in
this context) is
mainly aimed at putting down somebody, negating that person knowledge and
skillset and similar. So, main difference in relation to critique is not necessarily
just the content, but also motivation behind it. It is clear that criticism (as
defined here) is something that healthy and well minded persons should avoid.
Advice could,
but doesn’t have to be included within critique. That is, it can be given on
its own. For example, I may
opt not to give critique to my loved one. I only give her advice on how to
improve something that is already good. If we are talking about improving some
bad habits or qualities advice will be given together with critique.
There is tendency in human nature to reject critique and advice. It is as hard as eating an elephant. Simple reason behind that is: If I already do
something in certain way for some time, I most likely believe how I am doing
things the right way. When somebody, even with valid reason, breaks that
illusion of mine, natural human reaction is defensiveness and negation of
critique plus rejecting advice.
(see part 2 here)
(see part 2 here)
I really like this summary: it describes well the feelings and the resulting behavior that we hold when we receive a suggestion, a criticism, a warning ...
ReplyDeletethey are often unsolicited information from our system of learning and adaptation ... but this is a problem in our Nature or in our Culture ? I think it's a problem caused by our dominant culture, in which the Ego (The Selfish Gene) tries to prevail over the Others.
I remember Socrates and his I know that I know nothing... through humility we can see ourselves as elements constantly improvable' and this improvement can be achieved by learning to receive information, to know how to select those useful and remove the misleading ones...
knowledge evolves recursively, adding and not removing elements to our culture, both personal and collective ones...
We have "formed" to use dialectic, comparison and competition, but now concepts and practices of collaboration, sharing, cooperation and direct participation are spreading rapidly.
These are elements that are helping us to get out of a strong individualism (the result of centuries of dominant Western culture) to change the same reference models that we considered stainless until yesterday ... What do you think about?