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Definitions of "Subjective" and "Objective"

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
The terms "subjective" and "objective" have at least four distinct definitions. How many definitions of subjective and objective do you yourself know -- without resorting to a dictionary or encyclopedia?
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Four definitions of subjective vs objective...

(1) biased vs unbiased

(2) opinion vs fact

(3) values and/or morals vs facts

(4) personal point of view vs omniscient point of view
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
I know three, though I typically resort to 'that which is unverifiable by other and of a personal view' as subjective and 'that which can be verified by others' as objective for the purposes of this forum.
 

joe1776

Well-Known Member
The terms "subjective" and "objective" have at least four distinct definitions. How many definitions of subjective and objective do you yourself know -- without resorting to a dictionary or encyclopedia?
One for each: I recognize only dictionary definitions which report common usage.

Reason: If you allow me my own definition for the word "fly" I can make a sound argument that horses can fly. Other than common usage, there is no valid basis for a definition.
 
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icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
It's a good thing this question is in the philosophy forum :)

A couple of ideas come to mind, but really this seems to be an open-ended question:

- "objective" and "subjective" are almost never black and white - there are almost always shades of gray.
- Almost every philosophy might have a different take on the definitions.
- Once again, I think the best way to discuss ideas like this is from the starting point of "core values", and to me core values have a degree of subjectivity. So I guess it's self-referential?

argh!

For example, if you value what science values: (e.g. predictability, repeatability), then you'll see some things as more objective (e.g. electricity, leverage, thermodynamics..), than someone whose core values include believing in unseen spirits.

Ultimately (IMO), it's not easy to prove which set of values is "better" and which set is "worse" - at least from a philosophical perspective.
 

sealchan

Well-Known Member
The terms "subjective" and "objective" have at least four distinct definitions. How many definitions of subjective and objective do you yourself know -- without resorting to a dictionary or encyclopedia?

As many as there are literalist traditions in this world.
 

ChristineM

"Be strong", I whispered to my coffee.
Premium Member
I only consider 2 to be valid, anything else is just a derivative

Subjective = opinion
Objective = not opinion
 

icehorse

......unaffiliated...... anti-dogmatist
Premium Member
Isn't this evidence on its face that they began their arguments with their conclusions and then crafted their definitions to conform?

I think there is merit to your argument. I think that both science and philosophy often start with tentative models and then test them to see how well they work.
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
It's a good thing this question is in the philosophy forum :)

A couple of ideas come to mind, but really this seems to be an open-ended question:

- "objective" and "subjective" are almost never black and white - there are almost always shades of gray.
- Almost every philosophy might have a different take on the definitions.
- Once again, I think the best way to discuss ideas like this is from the starting point of "core values", and to me core values have a degree of subjectivity. So I guess it's self-referential?

argh!

For example, if you value what science values: (e.g. predictability, repeatability), then you'll see some things as more objective (e.g. electricity, leverage, thermodynamics..), than someone whose core values include believing in unseen spirits.

Ultimately (IMO), it's not easy to prove which set of values is "better" and which set is "worse" - at least from a philosophical perspective.

Do you suppose you might be over-thinking the question? You make it sound like dictionaries and encyclopedias would grind to a halt if and when they ever dared to define/explain "subjective and objective". You make it sound like they would have an impossible task.
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
One for each: I recognize only dictionary definitions which report common usage.

Reason: If you allow me my own definition for the word "fly" I can make a sound argument that horses can fly. Other than common usage, there is no valid basis for a definition.

Are you implying I make up my own definitions of "subjective and objective"? If so, you are a comedian -- whether you know it or not.
 

Sunstone

De Diablo Del Fora
Premium Member
Four definitions of subjective vs objective...

(1) biased vs unbiased

(2) opinion vs fact

(3) values and/or morals vs facts

(4) personal point of view vs omniscient point of view
 

Milton Platt

Well-Known Member
The terms "subjective" and "objective" have at least four distinct definitions. How many definitions of subjective and objective do you yourself know -- without resorting to a dictionary or encyclopedia?

Why would one not resort to a dictionary or encyclopedia (or maybe a thesaurus) for correct definitions in common usage of a word?
 
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