Latour on Critique – responses

An object can be described as a gathering of things that is widely accepted. A Thing, by its origins and definition, is an idea debated in parliament and forum. This form of discourse allows an object to become solidified and tangible. When Latour argues “things have become Things again” (p.236), he means that the nature of critical thinking may have to leave accepted truths and move on to reestablishing the basis of theory, as a way of looking at objects and therefore debating things. The brief example of the Twin Tower’s reconstruction in New York City (p.236) brings forth the public debate of what the Towers actually mean, and how they are defined.

The realist attitude is “a realism dealing with […] matters of concern, not matters of fact” (p.231). Prior to his offering, Latour claims that matters of fact are only a minor portion of “states of affairs” (p.232). In other words, critical writing has not yet dealt with many ideas and this is the next challenge associated with critique.