5 differences between OBJECTIVISM and SUBJECTIVISM

Today we are going to explain the ddefinition of objectivism and subjectivism and the differences that there is between these two opposing philosophical currents. The first was born in the 20th century (Ayn Rand) and establishes that the object determines the subject, while the second was born in the 5th century BC. C. (sophists) and defends that it is the subject who determines the object. In this way, these two tendencies have opposite ways to define reality and to approach knowledge. If you want to know about objectivism and subjectivism, she continues reading.In unPOFESOR we explain everything to you!

To understand the differences between objectivism and subjectivism, it is important that we also know the definition of each of these currents.

Objectivism is developed in the 20th century by the philosopher Ayn rand(Alisa Zinovievna Rosenbaum) in her works The spring and the rebellion of Atlas. In both, it establishes that the subject must withdraw and detach from the senses / emotions (subjectivity) and get closer to the facts (The formula A: A = A). Thus, in this sense, he defends the

objective reality (what we see = what is) and directly rejects all supernatural reality or that which is accepted as real, such as religion.

“Nature, to be commanded, has to be obeyed or what is the same, wishing it will not make it come true. You can't have your cake and eat it at the same time. Man is an end in himself. Give me freedom or give me death "

In this way, objectivism asserts that values ​​are not intrinsic the subject and that knowledge and truth can be removed from emotional bias because they are independent of what that the individual thinks, that is, the object can condition the subject: valuing an object from the reality of the same.

Subjectivism has its origin in the philosophical theses of the Sophists (Protagoras and Gorgias) of ancient Greece (B.V a. C.) and extends throughout history with representatives such as David hume (18th century) or Friedrich Nietzsche (S.XIX-XX). Thus, as its name indicates, this current gives preponderance to subjectivity, that is, to the subject and to the individuality of the individual's opinion.

In this way, subjectivism establishes that opinion, assessment or perception of the subject on a concrete question is the one that counts. Therefore, the truth and knowledge about something depends on each individual, the value that we give to a object from our way of thinking or from our point of view, that is, the object is subject to the subject. As Nietzsche would say: “The truth will always be relative and individual "

Thus, according to subjectivists, subjectivity is a intrinsic quality to the individual, since, we cannot get rid of it because it is directly linked to our emotions, feelings, ideas, thoughts or experiences. Establishing, therefore, that ethics, morals and values ​​depend on the subject.

Objectivism and subjectivism are two radically opposite currents in every way. So that you understand it better, here we discover the differences between objectivism and subjectivism:

1. The preponderance of the object and the subject: The main difference between these two currents is that objectivism gives a greater importance to the object than to the subject and, on the contrary, subjectivism gives it more to the subject than to the object. For example, when we admire a work of art: if we analyze it according to objectivism, we will describe what we see (the color, the light, the disposition of the characters or the objects ...), but if we analyze it according to subjectivism we will focus on what the work awakens in us or on our opinion (whether we like it or not, whether it conveys joy, sadness…).
2. Reality: Objectivism states that The reality is what it is or what we see, where things are, what we can understand and what we can face in an objective and neutral way (objective reality). On the other hand, subjectivism defends that reality cannot be separated from subjectivity, since it depends on factors such as the social: the individual being a social being is impregnated with the values ​​of the community and is influenced by variables such as culture or politics.
3. Knowledge: From objectivism it is affirmed that knowledge is obtained through the senses and is analyzed from the reason (the only one capable of judging and the means of acquiring knowledge), giving a leading role to the logic (things are or are not). For its part, subjectivism defends that knowledge germinates in the subject: emanates from the perception, experience and arguments of the individual. In short, for objectivism knowledge is metaphysical and for subjectivism it is not.
4. Relativism: Objectivism totally distances itself from relativism insofar as it defends that reality / culture is what we see, that we can change and analyze from objectivity or logic. However, subjectivism establishes that a culture is based on the perception that each people has about their own reality and that, therefore, it must be respected. Which sometimes leads to cultural relativism.
5. Ethics: For objectivism, the individual is above all a rational being and reason is the guide that allows him to differentiate between good and bad, in this way, the individual can act as he believes to find his happiness, according to his purpose and without sacrificing for the rest (act for your interest and not for the rest). For its part, subjectivism establishes that moral and ethics emerge from the attitudes of the subject, that is, the definition of good and bad depends of our opinions: it is a matter of feeling and not of facts (if we think something is good, it is well).