Collapsing theory into narrative destroys the critical distance rational critique requires

Evidence

As the idea gains ground that all theory is a species of sublimated narrative, so doubts emerge about the very possibility of knowledge as distinct from the various forms of narrative gratification. Theory presupposes critical distance between its own categories and those of a naturalized mythology or commonsense system of assumptions. Simply to collapse that distance - as Lyotard does - is to argue away the very grounds of rational critique. — Alex Callinicos, Against Postmodernism, 371

Categorization

• DEEPTHINKING: Dense epistemological critique: collapsing theory into narrative eliminates the self-distancing that makes critique possible at all — a paradigm-shifting reframing of the stakes of postmodernism.
• XREF: Connects to Habermas’s defense of modernity and the Marxist tradition’s commitment to critique as distance. — connects to: Deconstructive narrative moves from doubting one metaphor to doubting language itself — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 534; A critic’s explanatory framework can collapse into mere textual evidence; Practice undermines theory from within as a destructive element — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1100 (+4 more)

Broader Connections

• A critic’s explanatory framework can collapse into mere textual evidence #complicates (0.80)
• Deconstructive narrative moves from doubting one metaphor to doubting language itself #complicates (0.78) — Fredric Jameson, Postmodernism, or, The Cultural Logic…, 534
• Extreme Foucauldian premises reduce theory to passive consumption of discourse #expands (0.76) — Aijaz Ahmad, In Theory, 112
• Emphasis in theoretical exposition can itself shift or weaken an author’s argument #expands (0.74) — Wael Hallaq, Restating Orientalism, 346
• Practice undermines theory from within as a destructive element #complicates (0.72) — Dirk Braunstein, Adorno’s Critique of Political Economy, 1100