Can a person truly know and/or experience anything objectively?
The title of this paper has been a question that has made many philosophers very busy. During research of this question I found that there are particular terms to learn, when it comes to discussing anything objectively. In this paper, I will share information found and my own experiences to explain the question and to give a response. There will be three sections of information regarding objectivity. Beginning with a terminology section, this section will define the terms used explain objectivity. After that there will be a section on historical philosophical theories of objective reality. Last but not least will be a conclusion with my response to knowing if we truly know anything about or have experienced anything objectively.
Terminology of Objectivity
In reading this paper there are many terms to be familiar with. The terms “objectivity” and “subjectivity,” relate to a perceiving subject (normally a person) and a perceived or unperceived object. The object presumably exists independent of the subjects perception of it. For example, the object would be there, as it is, even if no subject perceived it. There for objectivity is associated with the ideas such as reality, truth and reliability. Objective reality refers to anything that exist as it is independent of any conscious awareness of it, using perception and/or thoughts.
Objective knowledge refers to knowledge of an objective reality. Your knowledge of another person’s subjective states can be called objective knowledge since it is presumably part of the world that is “object” for you, just as you and your subjective states are part of the world that is “object” for the other person. Also objective knowled...
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...o disagree with your peers. The judgements of the peers are a collection of knowledge that they all now share, called objective knowledge. One can be very open to other ideas and to gather the information from others and from their own experiences to closely relate to anything objectively. Its up to the mind, and its filters that create our current reality.
Works Cited
G. Lee Bowie, Meredith W. Micheals, Robert C. Solomon. Twenty Questions.
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Dwayne H. Mulder. Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Sonoma State University. Web.
Mar 2013. http://www.iep.utm.edu/objectiv/#SH2c
Dr. Binswanger. aynrandlexicon.com. Ayn Rand® Institute. Web. Mar. 2014. http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/objectivity.html A.H. Almaas. glossary.ahalmaas.com. Ridhwan Foundation. Web. Mar 2014.
http://glossary.ahalmaas.com/phrases/objective-reality
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