Constructive Criticism and Creativity

Northlines Abid Hussain Rather Criticism has become a common tendency in the present times. Once a writer writes about his feelings or his observations about the society in which he lives, he has to confront with criticism. Though his writings are reflections of the society but still there are critics to highlight the positive as well as negative aspects of his ideas. Similarly when politicians, religious preachers or scholars expresses their ideas, they face criticism. There have been critics in every field of life and in every arena of knowledge from time immemorial but the trend of criticism is growing with every passing day. It has been observed that the criticism is not always constructive but some people criticize only for the sake of criticism. Socrates once said that wise people criticize ideas while as fools criticize people instead of their ideas. Constructive and positive criticism leads to reclamation and melioration but inexpedient criticism for the sake of criticism results in schism and conflicts. Constructive criticism results in creative ideas but ineffectual and feckless criticism yields negative results. As it has been said that nobody is perfect in this world and everyone among us possess both good as well as bad qualities, so a critic should respect the personality of a person while criticizing his ideas. If the critic attacks the personality of a person instead of criticizing his wrong ideas it would naturally lead to negativity in the society. Inexpedient criticism, intolerance and impatience are few of the basic reasons for different political, social and religious conflicts in our societies. It has been observed that our political leaders, officers, religious leaders, teachers and even most individuals are involved in the habit of inexpedient, illogical and negative criticism which has spread hatred, despair, malice and hostility in our societies. The positive attitude of the critic will result in the positive reaction of the person who is being criticized or whose thoughts or ideas are being criticized and it develops the culture of mutual understanding and tolerance in the society.