thumb|La Crítica, a 1906 self-portrait by [[Julio Ruelas where criticism is depicted as a creature atop his head.]]
Criticism is the construction of a judgement about the negative or positive qualities of someone or something. Criticism can range from impromptu comments to a written detailed response. Criticism falls into several overlapping types including "theoretical, practical, impressionistic, affective, prescriptive, or descriptive".
Criticism may also refer to an expression of disapproval of someone or something. Research supports the notion that using feedback and constructive criticism in the learning process is very influential.
In French, German, or Italian, no distinction is drawn between the terms critique and criticism. The two words both translate as critique, Kritik, and critica, respectively. In the English language, philosopher Gianni Vattimo suggests that "criticism" is used more frequently to denote literary criticism or art criticism while "critique" refers to more general writing such as Immanuel Kant's Critique of Pure Reason.
In some contexts, such as literary criticism and art criticism, the word "criticism" is used as a neutral word that is synonymous with "evaluation."
By field
Criticism of religion
Criticism of science
Critical theory
Critical theory criticizes power structures. The critical legal studies include criticism of the distinction between political argument and legal argument (popularized by the phrase the personal is political), rule of law and separation of powers. See also criticism of Critical theory.
Postmodernism
Postmodernism criticizes rationalism and objective reality. See also criticism of postmodernism.
Criticism of criticism
Journalist and writer H. L. Mencken argued that "criticism is little more than a branch of homiletics. They judge a work of art, not by its clarity and sincerity, not by the force and charm of its ideas, not by the technical virtuosity of the artist, not by his originality and artistic courage, but simply and solely by his orthodoxy."
See also
- Controversy
- Film criticism
- Self-criticism
- Social criticism
- Theatre criticism