Subject/Objective Reality/Illusion

[David Morris]

http://www.utm.edu/research/iep/o/objectiv.htm

The word "objectivity" refers to the view that the truth of a thing is 
independent from the observing subject. The notion of objectivity entails 
that certain things exist independently from the mind, or that they are at 
least in an external sphere. Objective truths are independent of human 
wishes and beliefs. The notion of objectivity is especially relevant to the 
status of our various ideas, and the question is to what extent objectivity 
is possible for thought, and to what extent it is necessary.

In epistemology, the objectivist position is that truth independent of the 
individual; this follows the correspondence theory of truth. However, 
idealists use 'objectivity" to designate that existence in thought is the 
only kind of real existence. In metaphysics, Plato identifies objectivity as 
pertaining to the world of the forms. For Plato, the forms reside in a 
separate world, which is invisible to our sense, although obtainable through 
reason. Thus, Plato refers to real objects the "knowable forms" which 
include the objective truths of justice, beauty, truth, and love.

Philosophers of the modern period concede the reality of the objective 
realm, although argue that it is unattainable. This is so of Locke's account 
of the a thing's substance, and Kant's view that our knowledge is restricted 
to the phenomenal realm, with no direct access to things in themselves.

In this century, Richard Rorty distinguishes between two notions of 
"objectivity." One involves the correspondence with what is out there, and 
is supposedly discovered by an algorithm. This Rorty rejects as since we 
have no idea how to perform this task. His second notion of "objective" 
involves those considerations adopted by a consensus of rational 
discussants. This, he believes, is the most objectivity we can hope for.

http://www.bomis.com/objectivity/

OBJECTIVITY
A journal of metaphysics,epistemology, and theory of value
informed by modern science

>From: <barbara100 at jps.net>
>But does that mean we shouldn't try? Try to read objectively? [...] It may 
>not be possible, but I still think we should strive for objectivity.

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