We explain to you what the difference is between the objective and the subjective. In addition, characteristics and examples and how objective and subjective knowledge is constructed.
What is the difference between objective and subjective?
Objective and subjective are terms used to describe the way something can be perceived. Objective things are those that are always perceived in the same wayregardless of the subject who observes them, while Subjective things vary according to who perceives them..
This is mainly due to the fact that objectivity focuses on the object itself, while subjectivity focuses on the person observing it.
For example, The phrase “Montevideo is the capital of Uruguay” is an objective statementsince it is a concrete, true fact, regardless of the subject who states it. However, when saying “Montevideo is a beautiful city” we are dealing with a subjective statement, since the “precious” characteristic is provided by the subjectivity of an individual, who qualifies the city according to his tastes and considerations. This assessment may differ from other opinions, since it is not based on concrete and objective data.
The term “objective” comes from Latin obiectus“put ahead”while “subjective” comes from Latin subective“which depends on something else.” The main differences between these two terms are:
| The objective | The subjective |
|---|---|
| It is relative to the object observed, and does not depend on the one who observes. | It depends on the subject who perceives. |
| It does not vary, it always appears the same, regardless of the subject who observes it. | It varies according to the appreciations, beliefs, tastes or points of view that each subject has. |
| It does not take into account opinions or personal appreciations of the individual observing. | It reflects to some extent the personal position and opinions of the individual. |
| It can be measured through established instruments and criteria. | It is impossible to measure, so it requires arguments and depends on the judgments of each subject. |
| The quality of the objective is “objectivity”. | The quality of the subjective is “subjectivity”. |
| These are concrete facts, for example: María is my younger sister. | These are opinions, for example: María is a sincere person. |
Examples of objective sentences
- The week has seven days.
- Bolivia is a South American country.
- The whale is a marine mammal.
- Pablo Picasso was a Spanish painter.
- The first president of the United States was George Washington.
Examples of subjective sentences
- My mother is the best in the world.
- Spring is the most pleasant season of the year.
- It's very cold.
- Pablo Picasso's paintings are moving.
- The year went by very quickly.
Objective and subjective knowledge
The terms “objective” and “subjective” can be applied to knowledge, since allow us to identify two forms of knowledge. On the one hand, there is objective knowledge, which is that obtained through rigorous examination, verification and formal demonstration, procedures that are part of the scientific method.
This means that The knowledge obtained through science is verifiable, replicable, demonstrable and verifiable knowledge.. This is why scientific knowledge is objective and does not depend on the subject, that is, on who has carried out the experiments or who has published or read their findings.
Instead, Subjective knowledge is that which is sustained based on argumentsopinions and points of view, so it is a matter of debate and cannot be demonstrated. They are variable knowledge, which is not supported by scientific evidence and which depends directly on individuals: their beliefs, expectations, thoughts and emotions.
For example, a marketing study about a new toothpaste will surely record conflicting opinions depending on each test consumer, and from these subjective results the brand will be able to establish trends or approval percentages for the product.
On the other hand, if through objective knowledge (through experiments) it is discovered that the product to be marketed contains a highly polluting substance, which makes it an environmental risk, this fact will be objective regardless of what its developers think or feel. or potential consumers in this regard.
Continue with: Intuitive knowledge
References
- “Objectivity” in Wikipedia.
- “Subjectivity” on Wikipedia.
- “Objectivity and subjectivity in scientific knowledge” by Alberto R. Kornblith in Medicine Magazine of the University of Buenos Aires (Argentina).
- “Subjectivity or Objectivity: a question of intelligences” in GeoGebra.
- “Subjective” in RAE.
- “Objective” in RAE.
- “Subjectivity and objectivity” in Ibero-American Dictionary of Philosophy of Education.
