论“后理论”的三种形态

On Three Forms of Post-theory

近年来,国内学者就一度在西方学界出现并后来进入我国的"后理论"现象展开了相关的讨论和争鸣。笔者认为,"后理论"是一种思想的状况,是对理论的一种反思与重识,同时也是对理论之未来发展的一种憧憬和展望。确实,在"后理论时代",理论曾经有过的旺盛活力和批判性穿透力已不再,它在当下变得越来越注重实证和经验研究,并对自身进行质疑和反思。因而一些人认为,理论已经死亡,至少说是当下的理论处于一种衰落的状态。笔者并不同意这一悲观的看法。在笔者看来,提出后理论的概念意在表明,理论并没有死亡,它已散发在对文学和文化现象的分析研究中。它一方面要保持以往的批判精神,另一方面又要对自身进行反思。因而在"后理论时代",处于衰落状态的文学和文化理论再度焕发出了新的生机。在提出"后理论"的概念之后,文章还逐一讨论了当下最有影响的三种形态的"后理论":后人文主义、性别理论以及生态批评和动物研究,并对这三种"后理论"的渊源、体系及超越性作出论述。

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.