RETHINKING THE CONTOURS OF CONTEMPORARY CRITICAL THEORY BY VLADIMIR FOURS

Abstract

This article serves as an extended editorial introduction to the special issue of Topos journal, marking the 15th anniversary of the passing of the influential Belarusian philosopher Vladimir Fours (1963—2009). It aims to critically revisit and contextualize Fours’s contribution to contemporary critical social theory within the framework of current global and regional transformations, particularly in Belarus and Central-Eastern Europe. The authors reconstruct key stages of Fours’s intellectual evolution and emphasize the lasting relevance of his work. Alongside a reconstruction of Fours’s intellectual trajectory and the reception of his ideas, the article provides an overview of contemporary developments in critical theory, including the rise of digital capitalism, ecological crisis, the transformation of the public sphere, and the emergence of new epistemic frameworks such as postcolonial theory, feminist critique, and critical AI theory. The authors argue that Fours’s conceptualization of critical theory as a reflexive, ethically grounded, and socially engaged project remains crucial today. His legacy offers valuable tools for analyzing the challenges of the present and for imagining alternative futures rooted in critical thought and emancipatory praxis. The article also highlights the commemorative and scholarly efforts surrounding the 2024 conference “Contours of Contemporary Critical Theory” and explores the role of Fours’s legacy in fostering new directions for interdisciplinary research, public engagement, and critical dialogue in the post-Soviet intellectual landscape.