ABSTRACT
One could develop such an alternative, governmental grammar of critique for postmodern crime control horizons by returning to a lost etymological trace of Krinein; namely, to dimensions of separating out, dividing, discerning and opening. As Hutchings notes, there is a circularity in reflexive projects involved with specifying a grammar of critique; in one sense, they constitute an ‘impossible task’ because the resources of critique are mobilised to enunciate its own limits. But the task is impossible only if convince that it is possible to escape contingency, perhaps by alleging an ability to grasp transcendental essences outside of history. The proposed critical grammar could develop a discourse that engages, aims to exceed, the texts which have led us to the clearing. A kindred formulation has already been articulated by Foucault’s intriguing work on critique, and other commentators have added to this.
