What are SUBJECTIVIST theories

In today's lesson we are going to talk about what are subjectivist theories, theories that arise from the philosophical current known as subjectivism. Which defend that the subject determines the object, that is, the opinion, the assessment or the perception of the subject prevail over the rest of the questions. If you want to know about the theories of subjectivism, keep reading In a PROFESSOR we explain them to you!

The subjectivism has its origin in the philosophical theses of the sophists (Protagoras and Gorgias) of ancient Greece (5th century BC. 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 an object from our way of thinking or from our point of view, that is, the object is subject to the subject or 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.

Throughout the history of philosophy, subjectivism has given rise to a whole series of theories. Among which stand:

Moral subjectivism

The main representative of moral subjectivism isDavid hume with his work Treatise on Human Nature (1740), in which, he defends that morality and moral attitudes depend on the individual. Establishing that what is taken as bad or good depends on the perception of the person, being a feeling (not a fact) and something independent of the interactions, customs or the context of the individual. Therefore, what is morally good or bad depends exclusively on what the person decides:

“Let it be the case of an admittedly vicious action: intentional murder, for example. Examining it from all possible points of view, to see if you can find that question of fact or existence that you call vice... You will never be able to discover it until the moment when you direct the reflection to your own chest and there you find a feeling of disapproval that rises in you against that action. Here is a question of fact: but it is the object of feeling, not of reason "

Idealism

The idealism it also stands as a form or theory that arises as a result of subjectivism with representatives such as Plato, Descartes, Hegel or Kant. This current states that ideas are more important that the rest of the things, that the reality is a construct of the mind and that the things exist if there is a mind that can think them.

In this sense, the german idealism from the 18th to 19th centuries:

• Transcendental idealism of Kant: It is established that for the emergence of the knowledge two variables or elements have to intervene: the subject (the put / noumenon) and the object (the given / phenomenon). In this process, the subject is the one who sets the conditions for the development of knowledge and the object is the material principle of knowledge.
• Absolute idealism from Hegel: For Hegel the idea is defined as the basis of all knowledge and it is what leads us to understand reality (something intangible but rational).

Perspectivism

Perspectivism is a philosophical trend that has as its maximum representatives Leibniz, Nietzsche or Ortega y Gasset (Meditations on Don Quixote). Which, establish that the perception and ideas are developed from the cognitive domain or from a particular perspective and that reality is created from different points of view. Therefore, rejects objectivism and metaphysics because there are no objective evaluations outside of a cultural or individual context.

Relativism

Relativism coincides with subjectivism by stating that the truth comes from the individual. However, relativism also states that all values ​​/ opinions have the same validity and that knowledge is relative / variable (having no place for objectivity) and unable to objectively depict our world.