If Not Critical

Eric Griffiths' If Not Critical collects ten lectures that offer a representative selection of his original and fully-argued contributions to literary criticism and literary history. He argues that an appropriately wide range of instances is essential to making progress in conceptualization and that a keener attention to a greater variety of examples can help us do better thinking.

Format: Hardback
Length: 268 pages
Publication date: 22 March 2018
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Eric Griffiths, a renowned scholar and lecturer, delivered hundreds of captivating lectures at the esteemed Faculty of English in Cambridge. However, his profound insights and scholarly arguments remained confined to the lecture halls, never finding their way into the pages of books. Now, in If Not Critical, we are privileged to witness a remarkable collection of ten lectures, published here for the first time. These lectures offer a captivating glimpse into Dr Griffiths' original, meticulously researched, and vividly illustrated contributions to literary criticism and literary history. Within his writing, decades of diligent reading in multiple languages and across diverse genres and literary periods are woven seamlessly. In these lectures, he delves into the blind spots of others' arguments, as well as the broader realm of criticism itself. He challenges the over-concentration on a limited range of examples, arguing that such narrow focus distorts our thinking. Throughout his work, Griffiths emphasizes the importance of a broad spectrum of instances in advancing conceptualization. He asserts that a keener attention to a greater variety of examples is essential for improving our intellectual abilities. These lectures provide ample evidence of Griffiths' profound insights, as he explores the works of Shakespeare, Dante, Kafka, Beckett, Racine, Rabelais, T. S. Eliot, and Jonathan Swift. Each lecture is a testament to his intellectual prowess and his ability to bring literary masterpieces to life. By presenting these lectures in their entirety, If Not Critical allows readers to delve into the rich tapestry of Dr Griffiths' intellectual journey, expanding their understanding of literature and its profound impact on our world.

Weight: 446g
Dimension: 147 x 222 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198805298