Subjectivism: Difference between revisions

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“Subjectivism is the belief that reality is not a firm absolute, but a fluid, plastic, indeterminate realm which can be altered, in whole or in part, by the consciousness of the perceiver,  â€" i.e., by his feelings, whishes, or whims.  It is the doctrine which holds that man â€" an entity of a specific nature, dealing with a universe of a specific nature â€" can , somehow, live, act and achieve his goals apart from and/or in contradiction to the facts of reality, i.e., apart from and/or in contradiction to his own nature and the nature of the universe…” [Ayn Rand, “Who is the Final Authority in Ethics?” The Objectivist Newsletter, 1965]
{{Q|Subjectivism is the belief that reality is not a firm absolute, but a fluid, plastic, indeterminate realm which can be altered, in whole or in part, by the consciousness of the perceiver,  -- i.e., by his [[emotions|feelings]], wishes, or whims.  It is the doctrine which holds that man -- an entity of a [[Man's Nature|specific nature]], dealing with a universe of a specific nature -- can, somehow, live, act and achieve his goals apart from and/or in contradiction to the facts of reality, i.e., apart from and/or in contradiction to his own nature and the nature of the universe"|Ayn Rand, "Who is the Final Authority in Ethics?" The Objectivist Newsletter, 1965}}
 
Subjectivism, in terms of morality, is a philosophical position that advocates no centralized or true authority in regards to value judgments. Therefore, advocates of subjectivism do not generally judge values held by others. Essentially, arguments formulated by subjectivists include: “What’s true for you, may not be true for me,” and “it’s better not to judge.”
 
Since reality lies within the eyes of the beholder, objective knowledge is not attainable, and in morality no accountability is possible. Subjectivism, when applied to politics, reveals itself in the most brutal form of dictatorships, operating on the Machiavellian principle that “might makes right.”
 
== Further Reading ==
*[http://aynrandlexicon.com/lexicon/subjectivism.html Subjectivism on the Ayn Rand Lexicon]
 
[[Category:Conceptual theories]]

Latest revision as of 20:05, 27 August 2010

“Subjectivism is the belief that reality is not a firm absolute, but a fluid, plastic, indeterminate realm which can be altered, in whole or in part, by the consciousness of the perceiver, -- i.e., by his feelings, wishes, or whims. It is the doctrine which holds that man -- an entity of a specific nature, dealing with a universe of a specific nature -- can, somehow, live, act and achieve his goals apart from and/or in contradiction to the facts of reality, i.e., apart from and/or in contradiction to his own nature and the nature of the universe"”
   ~ Ayn Rand, "Who is the Final Authority in Ethics?" The Objectivist Newsletter, 1965

Subjectivism, in terms of morality, is a philosophical position that advocates no centralized or true authority in regards to value judgments. Therefore, advocates of subjectivism do not generally judge values held by others. Essentially, arguments formulated by subjectivists include: “What’s true for you, may not be true for me,” and “it’s better not to judge.”

Since reality lies within the eyes of the beholder, objective knowledge is not attainable, and in morality no accountability is possible. Subjectivism, when applied to politics, reveals itself in the most brutal form of dictatorships, operating on the Machiavellian principle that “might makes right.”

Further Reading