Critic

A critic (from Greek krites, a judge) is a person who offers judgement or analysis, value judgement, interpretation, or observation. The term can also be used to describe an adherent of a position disagreeing with or opposing the object of criticism. Critics include professionals or amateurs who regularly judges or interprets performances or other works (such as that of artists, scientists, musicians or actors) and, typically, publishes their observations, often in periodicals. Critics are numerous in certain fields, including art critics, music critics, film critics, theatre or drama, restaurant and scientific publication critics.

Word usage

Some uses of the term criticism describe hostility or disagreement with the object of criticism, while others denote more neutral attempts to understand the object in depth. Often context, and the contentiousness of the subject, are the only differentiating factors. Applications in the field o politics, (e.g. "criticism of U.S. foreign policy") almost exclusively refer to disagreement, while in an academic, artistic, or literary context (e.g. "criticism of Romantic poetry") usually refers to the activity of interpretation or analysis. However it should be kept in mind that no critic is free from presuppositions of some kind.

Related Topics:
U.S. foreign policy - Romantic poetry - Presuppositions

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