The Objectivity and Subjectivity of 'Truth' is Important to Differentiate
It's not usually complicated yet it can be and that's important to understand too
Did You Know…
There is a difference between subjective truth and objective truth.
Subjectivity is not always incorrect, mind you, yet it can be if it deviates from facts.
Objectivity is different. It is reality. Simultaneously, alone it might not be enough to be for the good of an individual or collective. Objectivity does need to be aligned with morality though to be fully correct, as in truthful.
I will get some push back or fire breathing at me about this but sometimes what is objective, if it lacks morality, is dangerous.
I know what you might be saying, maybe loudly: “Morality is a social construct, fool and there’s evidence to prove it.”
Counter argument: The reality is that there is a consensus regarding many acts in society about what is “right” and “wrong.” You may even agree that there clearly exists far more black and white in our minds than “gray area” or personal preference. I’m not saying that “gray area” or differences of what is considered moral and immoral doesn’t exist — clearly it does.
I’m contending instead that there is more agreement than not about morality, if we haven’t been raised by wolves or horribly immoral people, on what is common decency in our society.
We know this too, because of how disappointed, sad, shocked, brokenhearted, fearful, disgusted, angry or venomous we get when we learn about behavior that goes against what is considered reasonable expectations on us as humans.
To be fair, there are certainly people, too many I offer, that use “objectivity” as a crutch not to do the “right thing.” Then there is also the very common practice of “objectivity” that is determined without all the facts and evidence. That practice is incredibly dangerous and immoral and yet used as part of corruption, laziness or both.
Many claim to be objective when in reality they are lying to others and themselves because “the truth” is that their conclusions are subjective only.
Should perceived subjectivity be summarily dismissed? No. Because those in judgment can get it wrong and often do, especially if triggered to the point of where logic and reason are likely taking place.
Subjectivity blends into being experienced by many as objective, while objectivity can certainly appear to be subjective. It’s not entirely binary though. The two can bleed into one another and at times, can work well together.
Yet it is still important to not let objectivity become cold towards humanity or subjectivity passed off as objective.
Michael Toebe writes “Reputation Notes” and is the founder and specialist at Reputation Quality, a practice that serves and assists successful people and organizations in further building reputation as an asset and responsibly, ethically protecting, restoring or reconstructing it.