“You cannot be objective in this situation”, “Learn to objectively assess your capabilities”, “This is my subjective opinion” - familiar expressions, right? We use them almost every day, but not all people fully understand the meaning of key concepts. But what is there to hide, psychologists and philosophers are also still arguing about what the difference is between them, whether it is possible to be absolutely objective. Let's sort this all out once and for all. We will learn what objectivity and subjectivity are, what an objective opinion is, how to be objective.
What is objective and subjective opinion?
Objectivity and subjectivity are properties that allow us to perceive reality impartially or emotionally (respectively). Let's take a closer look at what objective and subjective opinion means.
Very often, when we say “this is my subjective opinion,” we mean “this is my personal opinion.” Actually this is not true. An objective opinion can also be personal, each person’s opinion is personal.
What is the difference between objectivity and subjectivity? The difference is that objective judgment is not colored by feelings and emotions. So, it’s more like what we usually call “as a matter of fact” or “a fact is a fact.” But subjective opinion is value judgments, our attitude, our sensory perception. Attitude to the situation from our “bell tower”, based on the knowledge and experience that we have.
The contradiction between objective and subjective
So, we found out that each person has his own subjective opinion. Very often, the subjective opinions of different people contradict each other. This leads to conflicts, polemics, and discussions. But at the same time, the contradiction of opinions helps each person, the entire society, and science to develop.
“He did this on purpose to hurt me,” one person shouts. “No, he was just joking,” says another person. Both are right in their own way, but what is the truth? The truth is that one person, in the presence of an obese person, told a joke about fat people. Why did it do this: was it a joke or did it want to offend? Only he knows. However, his opinion is subjective. An objective fact: he said such and such, there and there, in the presence of such and such.
Unity of objective and subjective
Objectivity and subjectivity are inseparable, just as object and subject are inseparable. The latter exist only next to each other. Likewise, many different opinions always arise around a certain phenomenon.
The unity of the subjective and objective is best seen in the objectivity of information. This is the truth, the veracity of any data. However, information becomes objective as a result of a combination of many subjective opinions.
Objectivity of judgments is formed under the influence of the following sources:
- Formal and non-formal education. We become acquainted with the first truths and laws of the world in kindergarten and school. Then we continue to receive information from the university. This includes self-education.
- The science. Scientific knowledge, research, results of experiments, etc. available to everyone.
- MASS MEDIA. The most influential source. Accessibility of presentation, many subjective opinions, wide circulation - all this makes the media such an influential source of information.
- Communicative interaction with other people. The instinct to imitate is inherent in us as a species. This is why we listen to other people, we want to be “like everyone else.” Therefore, very often we perceive everything that our friends and colleagues say as the truth.
Psychologists have discovered an interesting pattern: the more people support an opinion, the higher the likelihood that other people will begin to perceive it as true. Therefore, it can be argued that any objective opinion is, to one degree or another, an imposed public opinion.
Thus, objectivity and subjectivity are two opposing forms of perception of the world. Subjectivity is personal opinion. Objectivity – conclusions based on the analysis of several opinions, sources of information, facts.
Does this really exist?
Of course, if the concept itself exists, the principles of scientific objectivity are no less real. At least, this is what any research or analytical process strives for.
Nevertheless, the influence of consciousness, both creating and knowing, cannot be excluded. In addition, to comply with this condition, a number of very different factors are necessary, including the level of training of the researcher, the scope of his conceptual apparatus, the specifics of the subject and object of research (after all, it is one thing when a new type of bacteria is being studied, and quite another thing when study of mental processes).
In essence, the principle of objectivity is a methodological principle, compliance with which is extremely important for the adequacy of the study. However, it depends on a huge number of factors and is not always observed.
What it is
What is objectivity and why do you need to be able to recognize it? In philosophy, there has long been a scientific debate about the objective and the subjective, as well as about truth and truth. As a result of centuries-old disputes, philosophers have found a point to separate these concepts.
They established that the objectivity of truth is its immutable quality. Then, apparently, the expression appeared: “Everyone has their own truth, but the truth is the same for everyone.” Based on this, we can derive the definition that:
- Objectivity as a quality that is not associated with personal judgments and interests, is not based on preferences, exists on its own and does not depend on evaluation. It is based on constant values, objective facts, conclusions supported by scientific research, etc. This is a quality that cannot be challenged or changed at will. It is based on scientific or other practical knowledge about the object.
- The opposite of this quality is subjectivity. In this capacity, everything is connected with opinion, judgment, assessment, personal criteria and desires. Subjectivity always starts from the subject. Subjective information is information created or modified by the subject.
For example, when we talk about such qualities as practicality, beauty, taste and others, we inevitably give a personal assessment or use personal subjective experience, which means our reasoning is subjective. When we talk about exact quantities (time, weight and the like) or about scientific facts, this is an objective opinion, since we take as a basis indisputable data or facts.
“Hot water” and “boiling point of water 100 degrees Celsius” are subjective and objective forms of presenting information about the same water quality.
It is interesting that from the point of view of semantic analysis of the Russian language, subjectivity is almost always expressed by an adjective, while the use of verbs in speech enhances the perception of information as objective.
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Why is it important to be able to transform information into an objective opinion? First of all, because in this form people better perceive what you want to tell them. Subjective opinions are likely to be questioned, ignored, or become a source of controversy
Objective opinions will be taken seriously. At the same time, you can use this skill both in the professional sphere and in everyday life.
Let's say you want to convince your manager that the path you have chosen to resolve an issue is correct. If your objective opinion is based on scientific data and conclusions made earlier and not challenged by anyone, you will most likely be able to defend your point of view. If you present the same information, but only as your own judgment, the result may be the opposite.
This strategy can also be used when working with children. Children are more likely to trust information presented in a scientific or precise form. Carry out an experiment with them and, believe me, the result of the experiment will be a better confirmation of objective truth for them than a dozen books they have read.
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Of course, there are areas where there is not and cannot be an objective opinion. Art - painting, music, theater - is always perceived subjectively, i.e. are assessed by each individual based on his preferences. Subjective judgment is also possible in those scientific fields where there is no consensus yet, and it is not yet possible to draw final and objective conclusions, since there is a lack of accurate scientific data.
Let's take, for example, the reasoning of astronomers about the structure of the Universe. It is technologically impossible to measure its dimensions or obtain information about the physical processes occurring in it. Information about the Universe is scattered, which does not allow us to see the whole picture.
With such a set of facts, it is impossible to obtain an objective opinion about this object. Most researchers in this field so far only make assumptions and each create their own model of the Universe, assuming which of the physical laws known to us can operate in it.
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But even the discoveries already made were not always immediately accepted by the scientific community. History knows cases when discoveries made by scientists were considered for a long time only a subjective opinion. In such cases, only time could turn a scientific hypothesis into an objective truth.
Dictionary of antonyms
OBJECTIVE - SUBJECTIVE
The rising new generation not only objectively could not open the way to any kind of political creativity, to the struggle for civil freedom, but even subjectively they rarely came to the idea of it.
Lunacharsky. Wolfgang Goethe. He was only an observer, and not a participant in someone else’s life, he did not experience it in his own skin, he did not know it with his own hump, and therefore the possibilities of his penetration into it were objectively - and subjectively - limited. To penetrate into another life, you must live it. S. Kondratov In someone else's element... OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVITY - SUBJECTIVITY
Objectivity of views - subjectivity of views.
Objectivity in assessment - subjectivity in assessment. OBJECTIVITY - NON-OBJECTIVITY Objective - biased objectively - biased
- In a word, - Rubin waved it off, - the concept of objectivity for you, both here and nowhere, does not exist.
- Yes! I'm biased and proud of it! Proud of being biased! Solzhenitsyn. In the first circle. OBJECTIVE - SUBJECTIVE
Objective assessment - subjective assessment.
An objective position is a subjective position. Ο Poetic activity is composed of two elements: the objective, represented by the external world, and the subjective, the poet’s vigilance. Fet. About the poems of F. Tyutchev. Memory often leaves us with a subjective image of time, whereas we think that it is objective and accurate. Paustovsky. A time of great expectations. The dispute about a given work, whether it is poetry or not, can be resolved on the basis of objective signs, and not subjective judgments. Bryusov. Synthetics of poetry. Music is also a subjective spirit, an internal state of mind. Plasticity is already an embodied, objective spirit. Ya. Berdyaev. The fate of Russia.
What is objectivity
What does the word “objectivity” mean? Derived from the Latin objectum, meaning “object.” Objectivity is the ability to perceive and analyze events without judgment, impartially, without any interpretation. What does “objective opinion” mean? This means an unbiased, impartial, non-judgmental opinion.
Objectivity is a property of an object (fact), it does not depend on the desires, feelings, and emotions of people. For example, all laws of nature, the psyche, and sciences relate to objectivity. They work regardless of a person’s emotions, experience, beliefs, and desires. They exist and they are what they are.
What does objectivity mean?
Let's look at the definition of the concept in different dictionaries.
Objectivity – what is it in psychological encyclopedias:
- the actual existence of objects (phenomena, processes, properties, relationships), which does not depend on the will and consciousness of a person;
- the position according to which human behavior is always amenable to external factors and phenomena that can be measured;
- freedom from evaluative, erroneous judgments, prejudices;
- the ability to conduct research, to collect information outside of one's judgments, emotions, prejudices, without allowing personal interpretations to get in the way.
Objectivity in philosophy is:
- a principle that implies recognition of reality in its real patterns and forms;
- the independent existence of things outside our consciousness;
- independence of events from the consciousness, will, desires, tastes, and preferences of a person.
You can often hear such phrases as “objective attitude”, “objective decision”. What does it mean? An objective attitude is an unbiased attitude. Same as an objective view. For example, all judges maintain an unbiased attitude when passing judgment. An objective decision is a conclusion about the necessary actions, made on the basis of an analysis of information from various sources, facts, phenomena, properties of reality. In our example, this is the sentence itself.
Objectivity: synonyms
According to all the considered definitions of objectivity, the following synonyms can be named (by frequency of use, from the most popular to the least popular synonyms):
- justice,
- independence,
- honesty,
- objectivity,
- impartiality,
- impartiality,
- open-mindedness.
Previously, objectivity was viewed in a negative way and synonyms such as impartiality and impartiality were used.
Synonyms
“Objective” is a somewhat official word, rarely used in colloquial speech, so the need for more “lively” adjectives will certainly arise. We offer you a list of synonyms. Let all those in need use:
- honest;
- unbiased;
- candid;
- fair;
- independent;
- unprejudiced.
It is not difficult to notice that synonyms contain full adjectives, not short ones. Let us not hide the fact that such a step was taken deliberately, so as not to sacrifice euphony. But if the reader needs brief replacements, then he can mentally cut off all the “unnecessary” parts with the above adjective and slightly modify them. The task is not difficult.
And we move on to the highlight of the program, the answer to the question: what is an objective person?
How to become objective
Can objectivity be absolute? No, every person in a sober mind, clear consciousness and sane state cannot be completely objective. If we are conscious, then the analysis of any event is closely connected with a personal attitude.
Is it possible to be completely objective?
Our worldview, value system, beliefs cannot miss something in its primary (true) form. This is where the expression “Truth is subjective” comes from. However, we can maximize our ability to assess reality with an open mind. This is what helps psychologists, doctors, teachers, and judges do their jobs. Objectivity is usually understood as a person’s ability to step back from a situation and look at it from the outside, from the point of view of an observer.
When receiving information, we involuntarily isolate from it what is interesting to us within the framework of personal beliefs and attitudes
How to be objective? Pay attention to facts, figures, dates, primary sources, etc. For example, someone says: “He was driving at a high speed.”
This is a subjective opinion. Another person, regarding the same situation, says: “He was driving 90 km/h.” This is an objective opinion. For some this speed is fast, for others it is slow, and for others it is normal. But in fact it’s just 90 km/h. Any event and any fact is neutral until we pass it through our value system.
How to be objective
Thus, to be objective, you need:
- Collect as many different opinions as possible. Remember what we talked about in the philosophy section?
- Find the original source and analyze it.
- Give yourself time to think. When the emotions subside and the information is assimilated, take another look at the problem.
This is a universal plan for any situation in which you need to be objective.
Why be able to argue?
Making arguments isn't just about school essays, academic papers, and political debates. In everyday life, you also constantly need to defend your opinion:
- get the airline to give you a refund for a ticket you never used
- explain to the hotel reception why you are assigned a higher class room
- convince the recruiter that you are the ideal candidate
- persuade a girl or guy from Tinder to give you their phone number
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Objectivity in philosophy
In philosophy, objectivity is understood as the totality of many subjective opinions regarding something. However, it is impossible to collect all the options, and even more so it is impossible to avoid contradictions. Absolute truth (objectivity of truth) is the maximum understanding of what is happening. But, as philosophers note, it is impossible to achieve absolute truth. For every objective opinion, you can always find several equally objective objections.
Socratic method
Many philosophers have dealt with the problem of searching for truth, but Socrates made a special contribution. In his opinion, each person can have his own truth, his own idea of something, but the truth is always the same. And it consists of several subjective relationships. That is, absolute truth, according to Socrates, is always somewhere in the middle between two opposing points of view (between two relative truths).
The philosopher even developed his own method for searching for truth. It is still used today to resolve disputes, dilemmas, and complex problems. Have you heard the expression “Truth is born in dispute”? It just came from Socrates. He drew other people into dialogue, challenged their opinions, constantly put forward new assumptions and facts, and eventually arrived at the truth.
The Socratic method is a method of conversation or dialogue. The philosopher himself began them with the well-known phrase “I know that I know nothing, but others don’t know that either.” Using facts and light irony, Socrates challenged his opponent’s opinions until the second participant uttered the phrase “You’re absolutely right, Socrates.”
Meaning of expressions
There are two concepts in psychology, philosophy and linguistics: subjectivity and objectivity. Philosophers and scientists have been arguing for centuries about the difference between them, where the boundaries of one end and the boundaries of the other begin.
Exact sciences strive for objectivity. The laws of physics, chemistry and mathematics operate independently of human experience. But is it possible not to consider laws that are postulates of science as experience? After all, people open them and take them out.
Thus, the understanding of the rules and laws known today is only an accumulation of subjective opinions. Philosophers believe that the concept of objectivity arose from the sum of all subjective options. The difficulty is that new ones appear every second, so it is impossible to collect them together.
As a result, the concept of absolute truth arose in the scientific community. This term is abstract, since it is unrealistic to achieve complete objectivity. Everything in the world is relative from the point of view of philosophy, even seemingly unshakable postulates. Nevertheless, the concepts mentioned have found a clear definition that makes them easier to understand and use.
Subjectivity
This concept implies a person’s perception of reality through the prism of his own experiences, beliefs, emotions, fears and ideas. This attitude is biased and often contradicts others. Subjectivity is based on an individual system of values, judgments, personal rules of behavior, and education. It's always a surprise.
People with the same life experiences and mistakes may have radically different subjective opinions, because everyone’s worldview is individual. It helps to interpret what is happening around “from one’s own perspective.”
Subjectivity is the impetus of progress. Thanks to it, science and technology are developing. It gives rise to disputes and discussions between people. It also pushes us to search for truth.
The subjective point of view can change with age, the accumulation of certain knowledge, and external influence. Subjectivity is inherent in every person and is a certain form of individuality today. If earlier it was customary to hide it, now in some areas, for example, in fashion, art, it helps to create masterpieces.
Examples of subjectivity surround people every day: a mother who refuses to vaccinate her child because she believes it will be harmful; a teacher with his own teaching methodology, different from the traditional one; a neighbor who does not want to connect cable television because she does not see the need for it.
Subjectivity is often based on fears or negative experiences. The girl refuses to give birth because she lost her first child. After a divorce, a man does not want to get married, fearing to relive the pain of loss.
Positive emotions are less likely to cause subjectivity that sharply contrasts with others.
Objectivity
This concept is more difficult to interpret because different sciences have different explanations for it. If subjectivity is a narrow term, objectivity is much broader. It is both simpler and more complex. Unfortunately, nothing comes to mind here other than an oxymoron.
Definition in psychology:
Human behavior that is amenable to measurable external factors and known phenomena.
The ability to explore the world independently of one’s judgments, assessments, without interpretation through the prism of personal vision.
Definitions in philosophy:
Independent existence of objects outside the sphere of consciousness.
Independence of phenomena and events from human preferences, beliefs, tastes and desires.
Cognition of reality in its real manifestations and forms.
In simple terms, objectivity is an unbiased attitude towards facts, events and phenomena, which is built on generally accepted norms and rules. In other words, it is the triumph of reason over feelings. Objectivity is especially important for people in certain professions - lawyers, judges, journalists, teachers, political leaders.
In practice, objectivity is often perceived in a negative way. Nevertheless, over time, the term acquired synonyms: honesty, objectivity, impartiality, independence, justice.
Terminology
The Logical Dictionary gives a very strict, although not entirely clear, definition, which is based on the concept of subjectivity. In short, objectivity is a judgment that does not depend on subjective tastes and preferences.
But such a definition is incomplete and requires more in-depth knowledge of the subject of research. That's why it's better to turn to Ushakov's dictionary. It states that objectivity is an unbiased and unbiased attitude.
In addition, it is often specified that this term is an abstract noun derived from the word “objective”. Efremova, in turn, argues that the latter can be described by the following definition: associated with external conditions.
