We often hear the expressions “objective opinion”, “subjective opinion”, “objective reasons” and similar phrases. What do these concepts mean? In this article, we will consider each of them in detail and try to explain their meaning.
What does objective and subjective mean?
Before giving an explanation of objectivity and subjectivity, let us first consider such concepts as “object” and “subject”.
An object is called something that exists independently of us, from our consciousness. This is the external world, the material reality surrounding us. And another interpretation looks like this: an object is an object or phenomenon to which any activity (for example, research) is directed.
A subject is a person (or group of people) who has consciousness and is active in knowing something. Under the subject, both the individual and the whole society and even all of humanity can be represented.
Consequently, the adjective “subjective” is connected by meaning with the noun “subject”. And when they say that a person is subjective - this means that he is deprived of impartiality, is biased towards anything.
Objective, on the contrary, is impartial and unbiased.
The difference between subjective and objective
If someone is subjective, this, in a sense, makes him the opposite of an objective person. If subjectivity is characterized by dependence on the opinions and ideas about something specific subject (on his interests, understanding of the world, views and preferences), then objectivity is the independence of images and judgments from personal representations of the subject.
Objectivity is the ability to present an object as it exists. When it comes to such an opinion, it is implied that it is compiled without taking into account its personal, subjective perception of the object. An objective opinion, in contrast to a subjective one, is considered to be more correct and accurate, since personal emotions and views that can distort the picture are excluded. Indeed, the subjective reasons that led to the formation of a personal opinion are based on the private experience of an individual individual, and may not always serve as a starting point for another subject.
Levels of subjectivity
Subjectivity is divided into several levels:
- Dependence on individual, personal ideas. In this case, a person is guided purely by their addictions. Depending on his personal experience, his own ideas about life, individual character traits, especially the perception of the world around him, an individual forms a subjective idea of an event, phenomenon or other people.
- Dependence on addictions of a group of subjects. For example, certain prejudices periodically arise in certain communities. Both the members of this community and some non-members of the community become dependent on the shared preferences of this community.
- Dependence on the beliefs of society as a whole. Society may also have a subjective opinion on any thing. Over time, these views may be refuted by science. However, until that moment, dependence on these beliefs is very high. It is rooted in consciousness, and few individual individuals think differently.
The relationship of the objective and subjective
Despite the fact that if someone is subjective - this, in essence, means that he contrasts himself with an objective person, these concepts are very closely related to each other. For example, a science that tries to be as objective as possible is based initially on subjective belief. Knowledge is obtained thanks to the intellectual level of the subject, who makes assumptions. Those, in turn, are confirmed or refuted in the future.
Absolute objectivity is difficult to achieve. What seemed unshakable and objective at the same time later turned out to be a purely subjective opinion. For example, before, people were convinced that the Earth was flat, and this belief was considered absolutely objective. However, as it turned out later, the Earth is actually round. With the development of astronautics and the first flight into space, people had the opportunity to see this with their own eyes.
Conclusion
Each person, in fact, is subjective. This means that in his beliefs he is guided by personal preferences, tastes, views and interests. The objective reality in this case by different subjects can be perceived differently. This, of course, is not connected with scientifically proven facts. That is, in our time in developed countries, none of the people continues to believe, for example, that the Earth stands on four elephants.
Moreover, an optimist and a pessimist can perceive the same event diametrically opposite. This suggests that objectivity and subjectivity are concepts that are sometimes difficult to distinguish. That which is objective at the moment for a certain subject or society as a whole, may completely lose its objectivity tomorrow, and on the contrary, that which is now subjective for a certain individual or group of people will be proved by science tomorrow and become an objective reality for everyone.