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Abstract

In this essay I provide a slow critique of essays, essayists, and essayism. By “slow critique” I follow the lead of Foucault by adopting a patient process of slow rumination. I also try (which is what essayists do) to resist “fault finding” but feel that, at times, I fail in the attempt. Not all essays are fully successful. As well as appreciating the essay as form and process I offer a few examples of highly achieving essayists. My approach to essayism, however, verges on disparagement.

Keywords

critical humanism human writing pragmatism methods of inquiry

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Essays,Essayists,and Essayism: A Slow Critique

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