Performative Subjectivity and Post-Ideas: A Theoretical and Methodological Reading in the Horizons of the Transcendent Third Reader

Abstract

This study seeks to validate the hypothesis that we—both in the Arab world and, prior to that, in the West—are experiencing a pivotal historical moment shaped fundamentally by the transformations brought about by modernity and postmodernity. This phase has been further intensified by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and the unprecedented evolution of various aspects of life, all of which have significantly impacted human existence, thought, and modes of reading.

Accordingly, this research aims to offer a theoretical approach to the concept of the transcendent third reader, a reading paradigm that aspires to transcend the dilemmas of the modern human in both creative writing and literary criticism. This approach is rooted in performative subjectivity, which serves as a crucial entry point for understanding the necessity of the third reader’s presence. This reader is intellectually and culturally aligned with post-postmodern theories and acts as a guiding force in interpreting texts in light of the ongoing and future transformations we witness today.