The offence of theory

TLDR

Theory is often offensive, challenges banality, but has become detached from its objects, weakening its productive interference. The paper argues that theory’s power to offend and inspire wonder is its strength, and proposes exemplary practices that let theory grow from detailed examples. The authors suggest that theory should proliferate from exemplars, remaining detailed yet open to unexpected connections, thereby fostering more productive offending.

Abstract

Theory frequently offends. The paper argues that this is its strength: the value of theory lies in its power to get in the way. Theory is needed to block the reproduction of banality, and thereby, hopefully, open new possibilities for thinking and doing. However, I also note that theory has become somewhat disengaged from its objects, diminishing its power of productive interference. I argue for ‘exemplary’ practices, in which theory proliferates from examples. Caught in the minutiae of the example, yet also open to unexpected connections, theory might develop more productive ways of offending. Or to put it differently, of producing wonder.