Debate: Epistemology - Essay Example

Objectivity: The Best Way to Know the Truth about Reality. Introduction Objectivity is a pivotal philosophical concept which means the quality of sustaining a truth and a reality even outside the personal impressions of an individual. Objectivity aims at isolating the truth from impressions such as imaginations, close relations with the subject, feelings, etc. it is true that these impressions could interfere with the process of forming converging conclusions when realities that are similar are analyzed by separate individuals.

Objectivity ensures standardization of analysis tools and, therefore, argue objectivity, not subjectivity, is the best way to know the truth about reality. For example, we can make and examine a claim such as, “Trade liberalization causes economic development to economies of the world”. The truth of such a statement can be verified by engaging either a subjective or an objective approach. In the subjective, an analyst from a country reaping it big from trade liberalization will be quick to adopt the slogan as a truth.

He will be naturally inclined towards interpreting every aspect of international trade as an advantage even when the contrary is true because of the impressions he has the same. Then there is another objective individual who isolates all his beliefs about the statement and employs tools of analysis to be the sole guide of the decisions to be arrived at. Of the two persons, the second person is poised to capture the true reality of the effects of trade liberalization. Isolating feelings and personal impressions empty the mind so that any data going in after that is as a premise for a decision.

A subjective approach makes decisions that are informed by other factors other than the findings of the reality and as such give a distorted reality. For example, when examining the above advantages, it is possible to concentrate on the importation of cheap quality goods, added variety, etc. But what happens to the local producers? Who takes up their jobs? What replaces government revenue? A subjective approach will overlook this information because of the rigidity if the biasing but not so with an objective approach.

On the downward side, it is argued that true objectivity cannot be realized by human beings who are by nature subjective. In other words, while objectivity is touted as the most accurate way of trying to understand the nature of reality, everything is seen through the inadequate lens of our human experience. Perceptions of reality in a non-human way are thus difficult to achieve. However, while we can do nothing about the human experience in analysis, we can empty biases and form a uniform premise of making a conclusion from objective experimental processes.

Given that our human experience is a constant, then application of objectivity in the determination of reality should give us converging views.Conclusion Objectivity ensures standardization of analysis tools and, therefore, I argue objectivity, not subjectivity, is the best way to know the truth about reality. It invokes the independence of the mind and takes a holistic viewpoint to the being of a phenomenon. It isolates personal impressions and makes the truth or reality be the sole subject of the analysis being made about it.

Objectivity, thus, is the best way to know the truth about reality.Works Cited Katherine, Amber L. Greening Philosophy: A fresh introduction to the field. Kendall/ Hunt Publishing Co, US, 2014.