Is objectivity a myth? – Silence Please

As part of the Inclusive LGBTQIA+ Cafes project, I had to ask myself, “Am I too biased by personal experience?”. I thus lightly touched on the topic of objectivity and the search for its boundaries in various contexts.

The question of whether objectivity is a myth is deeply philosophical and depends on the interpretation of the term “objectivity”. In various fields and contexts, objectivity can have different meanings, but generally, it refers to the ability to know or judge reality independently of personal beliefs, emotions, or biases.

Some philosophers and scientists argue that absolute objectivity is unattainable because our perception of reality is always influenced by our personal experiences, language, culture, and cognitive biases. This view suggests that all our knowledge and interpretation of reality are to some extent subjective.

On the other hand, the concept of objectivity plays a key role, for example, in scientific research or in judicial proceedings, where the aim is to achieve the greatest possible degree of independence and impartiality. In science, objectivity is sought through methodologies that include repeatable experiments, the peer-review process, and transparent data sharing. In these contexts, objectivity is not considered a myth, but rather an ideal to strive for.

In literary and artistic critiques, historiography, and other humanities disciplines, the concept of objectivity may be perceived even more complexly, as interpretations of artworks and historical events are often strongly influenced by personal and cultural perspectives. Thus, the answer to the question of whether objectivity is a myth varies depending on the context and the philosophical or epistemological approach of the individual. Many of us would agree that pure objectivity may be an ideal that is difficult to achieve, but the pursuit of objectivity is still valuable and necessary in many aspects of human knowledge and decision-making.

Objectivity in design?

In fields such as service design, interactive design, and other creative domains, the concept of objectivity is approached very differently than in natural sciences or formal logic. These areas are significantly influenced by human experiences, emotions, aesthetics, and cultural values, which are inherently subjective. Nevertheless, there is still an effort to achieve a certain form of “objectivity” in these domains, but it primarily focuses on efficiency, functionality, accessibility, and user satisfaction rather than on absolute truth independent of subjective perception. For example:

Efficiency and Functionality: While design decisions can be subjective, there are objective criteria for evaluating whether a design fulfills its purpose, whether it is efficient, and whether it facilitates, for example, user interaction. In interactive design, it can be objectively measured how quickly and intuitively users can complete certain tasks.
Accessibility: Accessibility is an area where objectivity is manifested through standards and guidelines designed to ensure that products and services are usable for the widest possible range of users, including, for example, people with disabilities. These criteria are relatively objective and measurable.
User Satisfaction and Feedback: While user satisfaction is subjective, the collection and analysis of user feedback can be performed using systematic and “objective” methods, such as surveys, usability tests, and user behavior analyses.
Iterative Design and Testing: Creative fields often utilize an iterative design process that includes repeated testing, evaluation, and modification of the design based on specific results and feedback. This process allows designers to come closer to “more objective” decisions about what works and what doesn’t.
Etc.

In these areas, therefore, “objectivity” is understood more as an effort to achieve optimal solutions to given problems than as a search for independent truth. Objective methods and procedures are used to assess the effectiveness of the design and its ability to meet specific goals, although the final creation and evaluation of the design are always influenced by subjective factors.

So, is objectivity a myth?

Arguing that objectivity is a myth is possible in contexts where the inevitable presence of subjectivity in the perception, interpretation, and communication of reality is emphasized. This view is often accepted in disciplines and discourses where personal, cultural, social, or emotional context is inseparably linked to the process of knowledge or evaluation. Here are some situations and areas where objectivity could be considered, in a sense, a myth:

Humanities and Social Sciences: In fields such as history, literary studies, anthropology, or sociology, the interpretative nature of knowledge is often emphasized. Here, “facts” can be interpreted in various ways depending on theoretical approaches, methodologies, and the personal perspectives of researchers.
Art and Aesthetics: In the realm of art and aesthetic evaluation, subjectivity is indispensable. What is considered beautiful, impressive, or artistically valuable is deeply subjective and depends on individual experiences, cultures, and personal preferences.
Ethics and Morality: In discussions about ethics and morality, objectivity is often questioned because moral judgments and values are significantly influenced by cultural, social, and personal context. What is considered “right” or “wrong” can be very different among various cultures and individuals.
Journalism and Media: Although journalism is based on the ideal of objectivity, in practice it is often questioned due to the influence of editors, news selection, political bias, and subjective interpretation of events. The media are often criticized for not being able to be completely impartial.
Science: Although science strives for objectivity through methodology, experiments, peer review, etc., there is a viewpoint that even scientific knowledge can be influenced by theoretical assumptions, data selection, and interpretation of results. The debate on theoretical paradigms shows how scientific “facts” can be interpreted differently within different theoretical frameworks.
Personal and Interpersonal Relationships: In the context of personal experiences and interpersonal relationships, objectivity is often considered unattainable because our perception and interpretation of these experiences are strongly influenced by our emotions, past experiences, and subjective perception of reality.
Etc.

In these and similar situations, it can be argued that pure objectivity is difficult to achieve or even impossible, which may lead to the view that objectivity is a “myth”. However, this statement does not mean that people should not strive for objective knowledge or fair and unbiased evaluation; rather, it points out that a full understanding of any situation requires awareness of one’s own assumptions and limitations.

Prefer objectivity over subjectivity?

Preferring objectivity over subjectivity depends on the context and the goal we are trying to achieve. Both perspectives have their place and value in different situations and disciplines. The decision to prioritize objectivity or subjectivity should be driven by the purpose (such as communication, decision-making, analysis, etc.).

When to prefer a high degree of objectivity:

Scientific Research and Analysis: The scientific method requires an objective approach to ensure that conclusions are based on repeatable experiments and evidence, not on the personal beliefs of researchers.
Legal Decision-Making: In judicial proceedings, objectivity is essential for fair and impartial assessment of evidence and application of laws.
Journalism: Objective reporting is important for providing unbiased information that allows the public to form their own opinions based on facts.
Etc.

When to recognize the value of subjectivity:

Art and Culture: In artistic and cultural contexts, subjective interpretation is a source of deep meaning and personal enrichment.
Personal Experiences and Relationships: Subjective experiences are crucial for shaping identity, values, and interpersonal relationships.
Ethical and Moral Considerations: Ethical and moral decision-making often requires subjective judgment that considers personal values and principles.
Etc.

Integrating objectivity and subjectivity:

In many situations, the best approach is the integration of objective and subjective evaluations – for example:

Research in Humanities and Social Sciences can utilize objective methodologies to gather data but also recognize the subjective interpretation of this data depending on the theoretical framework.
In Medicine and Psychology, it’s important to consider both objective clinical evidence and patients’ subjective experiences in diagnosis and treatment.
In Design and User Experience, it’s crucial to combine objective testing and analysis with a deep understanding of users’ subjective needs and desires.
Etc.

Ultimately, the choice between objectivity and subjectivity depends on the situation and goals. Ideally, a balance should be achieved that allows the strengths of both approaches to be utilized for the best possible outcomes. As indicated above, the degree of objectivity and subjectivity actually depends on the perspective from which a given problem is viewed. This concept is fundamental to many areas of human inquiry and practice. Recognizing that each perspective carries its own set of assumptions, biases, and interpretive frameworks is key to deep understanding and effective problem-solving. Acknowledging the diversity of perspectives—that objectivity and subjectivity are not in opposition but are rather complementary aspects of knowledge—is essential for open and fruitful dialogue. In many situations, it is necessary to assess when and how to prioritize objective data and when to allow space for subjective interpretation or experience. This approach promotes a complex and nuanced understanding of the world around us.

So, is objectivity a myth?

Asking whether objectivity is a myth might be oversimplifying in certain contexts. It would be more accurate to say that objectivity and subjectivity are not absolute opposites but rather aspects that can overlap and influence each other depending on the context and purpose. Instead of conceiving a rigid division between objective and subjective knowledge, it’s more useful to think about how these two perspectives can complement each other and provide a more complex view of reality.

Objectivity serves as a valuable ideal in scientific research, legal decision-making, journalism, etc., where we strive to minimize personal bias and beliefs to achieve fair and reliable conclusions. Subjectivity, on the other hand, is crucial for art, personal experience, and ethical considerations, where unique perspectives and personal interpretations bring deep meaning and value.

The reality is that human perception and knowledge are inevitably influenced by subjective factors, although we can strive for an objective understanding of the world around us. In many situations, it is appropriate to recognize the limitations of our own perspective and strive for the greatest possible objectivity through transparent methods, critical thinking, and open dialogue.

Therefore, rather than asking if objectivity is a myth, it’s more beneficial to ask how we can best balance and integrate objective and subjective approaches to gain a deeper and more complex understanding of the world. In this sense, the question is not so much about objectivity as a myth, but rather about how effectively to navigate between the objective and subjective aspects of our reality to achieve the best decisions and understanding. In many situations, we aim for objective analysis, but we must also be aware of the subjective factors that influence our perception and decision-making. In this way, objectivity and subjectivity become part of a continuum of knowledge, where we distinguish different degrees and ways in which both aspects are applied and manifested.

Just relativizing subjectivity and objectivity?

Yes, we can see it as a form of relativizing subjectivity and objectivity. Speaking of subjectivity and objectivity as aspects that can overlap and influence each other means acknowledging that absolute objectivity or subjectivity can be challenging to achieve. This view relativizes the strict separation between objective and subjective knowledge and opens up space for understanding that our perception of reality is often a mixture of both.

Relativizing Subjectivity and Objectivity:

Supports a multidisciplinary approach: It acknowledges that different fields of inquiry may require varying degrees of consideration between subjective and objective approaches. For instance, in science, there may be an emphasis on objective methods, while in art or the humanities, there may be more room for subjective interpretation.
Acknowledges the limitations of our knowledge: It concedes that our understanding of the world is constrained by our perspectives, experiences, and culture. This view helps us be more open to alternative viewpoints and interpretations.
Promotes critical thinking: Encourages us to be critical of our own assumptions and how our own subjective experiences can influence our judgments and decision-making.
Etc.

However, this relativized view does not imply that we should abandon the effort to achieve objective analysis or that all perspectives are equal in every context. Instead, it reminds us that in the process of knowledge, we should be aware of the interaction between subjective and objective factors and strive for the most balanced and informed approach.