Theoretical Premises of Pisarev's Criticism

A proper understanding of Pisarev's critical position depends on a proper understanding of his view of aesthetics. His critical method is defined by his aesthetic outlook. Anyone who does not understand the logic of his aesthetic outlook will have nothing sensible to say about Pisarev as a critic. Pisarev's critical method is usually known as a "publicistic" method, by which is meant that the literary fact is transformed in his works from an object of investigation into an excuse for social propaganda. This is true only to a certain extent, and in any case does not grasp what is most essential for Pisarev's critical methodology. Considering Pisarev's inclination toward publicistics as the central element in his criticism distorts the true meaning and actual methodological position of his work.