Objectivity vs Subjectivity
What is the difference between objectivity and subjectivity?
A statement is said to be objective when it is based on facts and it can be proven via either direct perception OR inference.
However when there is absence of facts about a particular object — then the statement becomes subjective. In other-words, one makes a conclusion about the object in reference to past memory, beliefs, biases or wishful-thinking.
Language of subjectivity is “I think it, therefore it is”.
Whereas objectivity is “It is, therefore I think it”.
In reference to one's spiritual grown, subjectivity misinterprets the scriptures, the methodology, the guru, the tradition, and most of all enlightenment.
What a guru/teacher should look like, talk like, sound like… is subjectivity.
Onto the specifics…
Comparison Chart
| BASIS FOR COMPARISON | OBJECTIVE | SUBJECTIVE |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | Objective refers to neutral statement which is completely true, unbiased and balanced. | Subjective means something which does not shows clear picture or it is just a person's outlook or expression of opinion. |
| Based on | Facts and observations backed up by research (through Perception and Inference) | Assumptions, beliefs, opinions, impulsive emotionally-charged statements. |
| Truth | Provable | Relative to person's limited knowledge about the topic. |
| Verification | Verified | Unverified, uninvestigated, unquestioned |
| Reporting | Same (eg: Noone is going to call a “tree”, a “cat”. Tree is a tree). | Varies from person to person, day to day. |
| Decision making | Yes | No |
| Used in | Reference guides, textbooks, encyclopedias | Blogs, comments on social media and biographies. |
Definition of Objective
Objective refers to an unbiased and balanced statement that represents facts about something.
The statement is not coloured by the past experiences, prejudices, perceptions, desires or knowledge of the person.
Therefore, they are independent and external to the mind of the specific person.
As the information is entirely facts based, it can be is observable, quantifiable and provable. It can be counted, described and imitated.
It presents complete truth and is free from individual influences, so it proves helpful in rational decision making.
Definition of Subjective
Subjective means those ideas or statements which are dominated by the personal feelings, opinion, preferences (samskara/vasana) of the person.
It is an interpretation of truth or reality from the person's angle. Subjectivity affects the final judgement or conclusion about the Object, thus is biased in nature.
It can be a belief, opinion, rumor, assumption, suspicion — that is influenced by the person's subjective standpoint.
A subjective point of view is characterized by the past experiences, memories, knowledge, perceptions, understanding and desires of the specific person.
Key Differences Objective and Subjective
The fundamental differences between objective and subjective are:
- A neutral statement, which is completely true and real, unbiased and balanced, is an objective one. Subjective means something which does not show the clear picture or it is just a person’s outlook or expression of opinion.
- An objective statement is based on facts and observations. Whereas a subjective statement relies on assumptions, beliefs, opinions – and is influenced by emotions and personal feelings about the Object.
- Objective information is provable, measurable and observable. While subjective information is relative to the subject (the person making it).
- The objective statement can be checked and verified. Unlike subjective statement which can’t be checked and verified to apply to the entire World.
- When a piece of information is objective, it remains same, irrespective of the person reporting it. A subjective statement differs from individual to individual.
- An objective statement is appropriate for decision making, which is not in the case of a subjective statement.
- You can find the objective statement in certain fields of science, but a subjective statement is used in blogs, biographies, and comments on social media.
Conclusion
Objective information is one that produces that reveals the nature of the Object as it actually is. It presents a story from as many angles as possible. It is a provable fact that can't be negated. Example, the sky is above me. The sun is not black.
Subjective information is colored by the character of the person providing it. It is a interpretation or analysis of the facts based on personal beliefs, opinion, perspective, feelings, etc.
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