[ Author’s note: This is the third in a series on the process of reason and rational thought.]
This is a short preparatory exercise for the upcoming Reason posts, Theory of Evidence and The Source of Common Sense.
Probably everyone knows what objectivity is. Probably few think about it on a regular basis. Objectivity is crucial to forming a worldview based on truth. So it should be useful to consider its meaning, its pursuit, and its utility.
Objectivity is easily defined. It is the state of mind when examining a question, where any true answer is sought. This is as opposed to looking for a specific answer to the question, an answer which will conform to a preconception or bias. So we might say that objectivity appreciates an answer that is valid and true to the premises.
That's the easy part. The hard part is to know if and when we, ourselves, are being objective. Do we seek any true answer? Or do we reject certain answers and create others which are more compatible with our desires?
Sensing subjectivity seems to be more difficult in proportion to the amount of "truth" we declare that we already know; in proportion to our own conceit; in proportion to our desire to control the thoughts and outcomes of others.
So before we know the truth, we have to accept that we probably don't know the truth. And then accept the actual answer that arises from truly examining the question... objectively.
A brutally honest introspection is required in order for objectivity to be attained.
No comments:
Post a Comment