Is Objectivity Realistic or a Human Illusion?

[Kerrie]

As the human race, we have identified what would be considered "objective"...

"Uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices: an objective critic. Based on observable phenomena; presented factually"

here is the definition i am referring to...yet, what i am wondering is, can objectivity be unrealistic because human beings are ultimately and absolutely subjective creatures when we observe, hear, think, feel, react and sense?

And most of all, why do we believe there is an objective reality out there?

Oh boy, if only Lifegazer were here...

 

[wuliheron]

Objectivity and the belief there is an external objective world are reflections of humanity's normal state of consciousness. Buddhists and other meditators, for example, claim there are no less than five distinct states of awareness, and that such distinctions as internal and objective disappear the more progressively quiet the mind becomes. This suggests that objectivity and the perception of an objective world are largely fabrications conjured up by the human mind only distantly related to the reality. This makes a great deal of sense considering humanity is capable of extremely complex manipulations of abstractions, is its own worst enemy, and that a simplified dualistic perspective of life can therefore promote survival of the species.

 

[quartodeciman]

Is anyone familiar with Notre Dame University Professor Alvin Plantinga's claim that if one assumes standard Evolution (with random genetic variation and selection) and Naturalism (no supernatural causes) are correct, then the conditional probability of human development of realistic explanations (really correct explanations) is low? In symbols:

P[R|E&N] ~ 0

. His corollary to this would be that a God is necessary to inspire understanding of the natural world. I think he argues that a human mind directed only by physical survival requirements (the four Fs) and no supernatural influences would not develop realistic explanations of things except by rare accident. I haven't read his books on this subject.

Anybody else?

 

[Dissident Dan]

I think that you are mixing two definitions of subjective/objective. One definition deals with sensory perception, and the other deals with impartiality.

Hearing and feeling (as in touch) do not necessarily impede on being objective in a decision. In fact, hearing is a very good asset in that, because you gain lots of information through hearing.

Being objective, i.e.-being impartial, is all about hearing the evidence and deciding as best you can with your logical abilities, without prejudices and other emotions interfering with that process--not necessarily that you don't have emotions, which is impossible for humans, but that you don't let them interfere with your logical judgment.

Now, we are imperfect humans, so this can often be hard, and we often fall short of that goal. But that doesn't mean that we shouldn't try to minimize any subjectivity.

As far as objective reality, anything else is absurd. Because otherwise, reality could not be subjective, because that subjectivity would be subjective, and hence could be objective. Do you see the paradox?

 

[Iacchus32]

Objectivity and subjectivity are two sides of the same coin. One is rationally based and the other is emotionally based. And yet you can't have one without the other. Reality is the equilibrium that exists between the two extremes. While I think it would be fair to say we'd be better off promoting their integration rather than their separation.

 

[jammieg]

Kerrie, have you ever had an itch that you couldn't scratch, what if the solution to the itch stemmed from the same source as the problem? It is very common when one first meditates to experience an itching sensation, it takes some practice to learn to ignore this then it goes away. This is what a Buddhist might call the beginner's stage of learning to control one's instincts or emotions I think the two are entwined. The closer one gets to the truth the stronger the mind is clouded by emotions and personal conflicts. Emotions have a desire to stimulate themselves sometimes, so problems and uncontrollables that always come up are often exaggerated by emotions.

 

[Mentat]

Originally posted by Kerrie
here is the definition i am referring to...yet, what i am wondering is, can objectivity be unrealistic because human beings are ultimately and absolutely subjective creatures when we observe, hear, think, feel, react and sense?

And most of all, why do we believe there is an objective reality out there?

These two questions deal with two different definitions of "objective" (as has been pointed out in previous posts). However, my answers are:

1) Do you mean to ask whether it is possible to be uninfluenced by your own feelings when making judgement?

2) It's good, I think, that you should ask this "why" question, because it is impossible to prove that there is an objective reality, but if one asks "why do we believe in it", then on is faced with the undeniable fact that it is human nature to believe in an objective reality. Now, if there is no objective reality, then why would it be in our nature to believe in it?

Oh boy, if only Lifegazer were here...

Yeah, his whole "Mind" case was based on the unprovability of the objective Universe concept.

 

[drag]

Greetings !

Originally posted by Kerrie
yet, what i am wondering is, can objectivity be unrealistic because human beings are ultimately and absolutely subjective creatures when we observe, hear, think, feel, react and sense?

Yes, that is one reason.

The second reason is physics (QM).

Originally posted by Kerrie
And most of all, why do we believe there is an objective
reality out there?

Please, do not speak for all of us.

Live long and prosper.

 

[Kerrie]

it is the scientific way to claim there is an objective reality because of what we observe outside ourselves, but ultimately that reality is being filtered through 5 (maybe 6 for some ) subjective senses that are affected by personal experiences...

 

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Kerrie
it is the scientific way to claim there is an objective reality because of what we observe outside ourselves, but ultimately that reality is being filtered through 5 (maybe 6 for some ) subjective senses that are affected by personal experiences...

So what you're saying is that realiy can only be interpreted "from within." Which to me belies the fact that there's a "spiritual reality" as well.

 

[Kerrie]

So what you're saying is that realiy can only be interpreted "from within." Which to me belies the fact that there's a "spiritual reality" as well.

logically that would be correct if you believe spirituality is not within you...i see spirituality within me...

 

[Royce]

To answer your first question, Kerrie, IMHO No, it is not possible for any human being to be completely objective. We cannot completely isolate our emotions from anything we attempt to do. Our best attempt is to be logical but I cannot state absolutely that there is no emotional content in our logic. Example: correct logic 'feels' or 'seems' right; incorrect logic feels or seems wrong.

To answer your second question, IMHO, The reason we believe that there is an objective reality out there is because when we were very young children we did not question reality but accepted it in the literal way of children and lived in it without question all of our lives until we got old enough, educated enough and wise(?) enough to ask "Is reality really out there?" By then it's to late. we've been literally living in reality for too long to be able to completely dismiss it for philisophical reasons. This may seem simplistic but it sounds plausable and feels right to me.

 

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Kerrie
logically that would be correct if you believe spirituality is not within you...i see spirituality within me...

No, what I'm saying is that if reality can only be perceived from within, then the understanding of that reality, and hence the understanding of ourselves, ultimately entails the "journey within," and so alludes to a greater "Spiritual Reality."

Whereas the form (truth) is external and the essence (life itself or good) is internal. Which is to say, the internal reality is far greater than the external reality -- or perhaps not while we're of "this world?" -- because it entails the "life within."

Do you think this is what it possibly means when the scriptures say, "The love of the world (external reality) puts you at emnity with God" (internal reality)?

 

[drag]

Greetings !

Originally posted by Kerrie
it is the scientific way to claim there is an objective reality because of what we observe outside ourselves, but ultimately that reality is being filtered through 5 (maybe 6 for some ) subjective senses that are affected by personal experiences...

No, science discribes observation using theories according
to accepted reasoning. Science doesn't claim there is
an objective reality it just seems like a likely
conclusion from this reasoning, but that is already part
of Philosophy rather than science.

Live long and prosper.

 

[Kerrie]

Originally posted by drag
Greetings !

No, science discribes observation using theories according
to accepted reasoning. Science doesn't claim there is
an objective reality it just seems like a likely
conclusion from this reasoning, but that is already part
of Philosophy rather than science.

Live long and prosper.

so what's the point of an objective reality if we will never be able to know it?

 

[Another God]

the point of objectivity?
The point of objectivity is that without objectivity, there would be nothing to be subjectively experienced.

Just because we can't know 'it' doesn't mean it isn't important to what we do 'know'...

 

[Another God]

And to go back to the original post, I really dislike that definition. I have two definitons of objective, one is THE Objective, while the second is the type of objective that scientists try to be (which is more like the definition)

THE Objective, is..well...THE Objective world. The truth. The state of everything. It is evereything that is. If something is, then it is objectively.

What we then do, as subjective humans, is to 'experience' a subjective inference of that objectivity. We never experience THE Objective, because we are subjective. Everything we 'see', is seen subjectively. Everything we hear, is 'heard' subjectively. Etc. In objectivity, red does not exist, C Minor does not exist, pain does not exist, cold and hot do not exist. Subjective concepts, do not exist in objectivity, and our subjective experiences are only a translated reference to THE Objective.

Anyway, from that subjective translation of THE Objective, we attempt to talk 'objectively' about that experience. We talk 'objectively' by appealing to inter-subjectivity. ie: We try to find the common basis of all of our personal subjective experiences.

I Don't know that what I see when i see red looks anything like what you see when you see red (I only know that you have been taught to call that experience 'red'). So what we do, is we find the common source of that 'red' phenomenon and claim that this source is the objective unit of 'red'... Of course though, even in out detection of this unit, we are detecting it through a series of other subjective inferences...

 

[jammieg]

Sight is probably the most objective sense we have, hence the phrase "seeing is believing"(taking off during the Enlightenment and affecting the scientific method),and in this way most everything should be able to be objectified, eventually, although the more important and increasingly abstract concepts may take science a lot longer to get to.

 

[Iacchus32]

Well, once we extract all the substance out of the center, we will indeed have a shell without a ghost. And all but a monument to a civilization which was lost.

And I now pronounce you an effect without a cause ... "dead formalism."

 

[Zero]

Perfect objectivity may not be possible...but abandoning it for subjectivity is a mistake. And, as far as objective reality...what else is worth talking about, but a reality that is real for everyone?

 

[Iacchus32]

Love and Truth

Originally posted by Zero
Perfect objectivity may not be possible...but abandoning it for subjectivity is a mistake. And, as far as objective reality...what else is worth talking about, but a reality that is real for everyone?

A reality which is real but "temporal" right? ...

We see by the light of the sun (objective reality) and are sustained by its warmth (subjective reality). We obviously can't live without either one. And yet we would die first from the lack of heat (Love) than we would the lack of light (Truth).

 

[drag]

Greetings !

Originally posted by Kerrie
so what's the point of an objective reality if we
will never be able to know it?

The point is simple - wa can't do without one, at least
a likely one and for now.

Objectivity is basically dealing with some defined
singular entities or axioms. Since they are singular and
defined they are objective - they have absolute or
unquestionable properties.

All of our attempts at thinking - reasoning so far appear
to have included such entities/axioms. Thus the result is
that we can not apparently make sense of anything, for now,
without something unquestionable - objective as a basis.

Likely or absolute, objectivity still apparenlty stays the
same for now.

Live long and prosper.

 

[drag]

Oh and, I was trying to get to the basics so I did
not mention the farther down the road social aspects
of the subject. However, the connection is seemingly
apparent since I've talked about our reasoning and
you can add communication to that, as a social aspect.

 

[quantumdude]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
We see by the light of the sun (objective reality) and are sustained by its warmth (subjective reality).

The warmth of the sun is no more or less objective than the light of the sun.

We obviously can't live without either one. And yet we would die first from the lack of heat (Love) than we would the lack of light (Truth).

First, the heat is due to the light, so the priority you give to heat over light is misplaced. And second, associating heat with love and light with truth has no basis except in symbolism. This is the Philosophy forum, not the Creative Writing forum.

 

[drag]

Tom... You have no respect for the philosophical
meaning of the EM spectrum ?!

 

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Tom
The warmth of the sun is no more or less objective than the light of the sun.

Except that we "see" the truth (light) and "feel" the good (warmth), which are direct correlatives.

First, the heat is due to the light, so the priority you give to heat over light is misplaced. And second, associating heat with love and light with truth has no basis except in symbolism.

Truth is the vessel (form) and good is contained within (essence).

This is the Philosophy forum, not the Creative Writing forum.

Actually there's nothing wrong with my correlations. I'm sorry you feel this way.

And besides, what is it about the typeset on this screen -- or, "language in general" -- that's not symbolic? How else would we communicate then?

 

[quantumdude]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
Except that we "see" the truth (light) and "feel" the good (warmth), which are direct correlatives.

No, they are not.

First, one does not "see the truth" or "feel the good" in anything, unless one changes the definitions of "see" and "feel", in which case the correlations fall apart due to a fallacy of equivocation.

Truth is the vessel (form) and good is contained within (essence).

Sounds like a fortune cookie.

Actually there's nothing wrong with my correlations. I'm sorry you "feel" this way.

Of course there is something wrong with it. It is totally arbitrary. "Light" simply does not mean the same thing as "truth", except in a metaphorical sense. The light from the sun consists of electromagnetic waves, and truth does not. And "warm" (a quality relating to temperature) certainly does not mean "good" (a value judgement), except in a metaphorical sense.

And besides, what is it about the typeset on this screen -- or, "language in general" -- that's not symbolic? How else would we communicate then?

Of course language is symbolic, but it is a symbolism that we all agree on. That is why it is meaningful. If you want "light" to mean "truth" and "warm" to mean "good", then you have to shine a light at someone to communicate "truth" and put a source of heat into contact with someone to communicate "good" in order for that symbolism to carry the same meaning as written language (assuming of course that you can get someone to agree to share your crazy language with you).

edit: typo

 

[Iacchus32]

Originally posted by Tom
No, they are not.

First, one does not "see the truth" or "feel the good" in anything, unless one changes the definitions of "see" and "feel", in which case the correlations fall apart due to a fallacy of equivocation.

I can see we're getting nowhere real fast!

Sounds like a fortune cookie.

A good fortune I hope!

Of course there is something wrong with it. It is totally arbitrary.

It's not arbitrary to me. It's an association, just like any other which imparts "meaning."

"Light" simply does not mean the same thing as "truth", except in a metaphorical sense.

And what's wrong with a metaphor, if not to show a correlation? And there is a correlation here, whether you can acknowledge it or not.

The light from the sun consists of electromagnetic waves, and truth does not.

But how else could this have been conveyed 200-300 years ago, when people didn't "know" anything about electro-magnetic radiation? Does that mean it didn't exist then?

And "warm" (a quality relating to temperature) certainly does not mean "good" (a value judgement), except in a metaphorical sense.

Warmth is also associated with how we feel, i.e. "warm feelings," and hence "love" (or good).

Of course language is symbolic, but it is a symbolism that we all agree on. That is why it is meaningful. If you want "light" to mean "truth" and "warm" to mean "good", then you have to shine a light at someone to communicate "truth" and put a source of heat into contact with someone to communicate "good" in order for that symbolism to carry the same meaning as written language

And yet there is a direct correlation here. You know what they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." And yet how would see that picture if you didn't shine a light on it first? And what's wrong with the idea of getting a "good warm hug" from somebody? Isn't that a means by which people convey love?

assuming of course that you can get someone to agree to share your crazy language with you.

If what I've got is crazy then so be it! At least you can't accuse me of not having a passion (or love) for what I'm doing.

And yes indeed, that is what sustains us, "Love."

 

[Iacchus32]

Aren't you aware of the fact that the sun is the very center of our existence (life on this planet), and that without out it, there would be no truth nor good to acknowledge, because we wouldn't be here to witness it?

You see this is the relationship we need to understand (between good and truth) if we wish to understand what it means to be "fully human."

 

[quantumdude]

Originally posted by Iacchus32
I can see we're getting nowhere real fast!

I'll say. You're taking a thread that is supposed to be about objectivity and turning it into a circus of metaphors.

It's not arbitrary to me. It's an association, just like any other which imparts "meaning."

Whatever. All I'm saying is that in order for it to have the same "meaning" as written language, you have to get other people to agree with it, because agreement is where language derives its meaning from.

And what's wrong with a metaphor, if not to show a correlation? And there is a correlation here, whether you can acknowledge it or not.

There is only a correlation in the linguistic sense if other people agree on it and agree to use it in that sense. Otherwise, it's arbitrary.

But how else could this have been conveyed 200-300 years ago, when people didn't "know" anything about electro-magnetic radiation? Does that mean it didn't exist then?

They might not have had as sophisticated understanding as we do today, but certainly people at that time knew the difference between the physical and the abstract. "Light" and "heat" are physical phenomena that are sensed. "Truth" and "good" are abstract ideas.

The rest of this post is just more word games. On to the next one...

Aren't you aware of the fact that the sun is the very center of our existence (life on this planet), and that without out it, there would be no truth nor good to acknowledge, because we wouldn't be here to witness it?

Oh, I get it. If the sun weren't here, we wouldn't be here. If we weren't here, then there would be no such human things as "truth" or "goodness". And, the sun produces light and heat. Therefore, light is (objective) truth and heat is (subjective) goodness.

Put down the bong, son!

You see this is the relationship we need to understand (between good and truth) if we wish to understand what it means to be "fully human."

*yawn*

Do you have anything to say about objectivity? I responded to you initially to clear up your misconception about it and to get this thread back on track, but you are carrying it into all manner of nonsense and vagueness.