Allocriticism and Autocriticism in the Views of Xenophanes of Colophon

Abstract

The article analyzes extant fragments of Xenophanes of Colophon's works from the perspective of broadly-understood criticism, with special emphasis on fragment B 34 (Diels-Kranz). Two types of criticism can be distinguished: allocriticism and autocriticism. The first refers to criticism of the opinions of others, while the second type of criticism is directed at one's own opinions. The object of criticism discussed in the article is the possibility of possessing knowledge. In this context, it is worth considering whether Xenophanes believed that no human being, including himself, could possess clear and certain knowledge (a combination of allocriticism and autocriticism), or whether he believed himself excluded from this general rule (solely allocriticism).