Polemologie als Theorie und kulturanalytische Methode

Abstract The essay outlines a future ›polemology‹ based on a novel model of polemics. Polemics are ideally understood as ubiquitous, constitutively public, argumentative modes of speech that, using a wide variety of means (especially aesthetic ones) pursue the dual purpose of object annihilation and audience differentiation as polarization. Polemics are characterized by epistemic, aesthetic, and politicalsocial productivity, by theatrical and imaginary features, by their non-dialogical character, by their great situational and historical variability, reflexivity, as well as pronounced morality. The methodological relevance of a general polemology derives from its potential to integrate approaches from the history of ideas as well as social and cultural history. The multiform and paradoxical connection between polemics and artistic autonomy, the medial binding of polemics, and their role in the production of the literary public sphere result in the possibility of a special polemology of literary studies.