In Western academic circles, there once appeared a phenomenon known as the "post-theory" which has in recent years come to China attracting relevant discussion and even debate. To the present author, "post-theory" is a state of thought, an attitude of theoretical reflection and reconsideration as well as a prospect for the future of theory. In the "post-theoretical era", theory has lost its energetic liveliness and penetrative force becoming increasingly empirical. It pays particular attention to reflecting and questioning itself rather than showing its critical force. Thus to many people, theory has actually been on the decline or even "dead" in such a "post-theoretical era". But the present author has a different opinion on this pessimistic view. To the author, the putting forward of the concept of post-theory is aimed to point out the fact: theory has not died, for it has already penetrated in the empirical study and analysis of various literary and cultural phenomena. Its function not only lies in critiquing others but also in reflecting itself. The putting forward of the concept of post-theory enables the increasingly emaciated literary and cultural theory to be energetic again to a certain extent. On the one hand, theory should maintain its critical spirit, but on the other hand, it should constantly reflect itself. Thus in the "post-theoretical era," literary and cultural theory, formerly on the decline, has once again been energetic. After elaborating the concept, the author focuses on the three forms of post-theory: posthumanism, gender theory, and ecocriticism and animal studies. All these three forms have been influenced and inspired by poststructuralism, especially by Jacques Derrida’s theoretical doctrine and, at the same time, transcended their precursors with their unique characteristics.
WANG Ning.
On Three Forms of Post-theory. Journal of Guangzhou University (Social Science Edition). 2019, 18(2): 5-14
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