Word
subjectivism
Meanings
The belief that truth, meaning, or value is determined mainly by individual consciousness, perception, or feeling rather than by objective reality.
In criticism or discussion, an approach that prioritizes personal response and interpretation over shared standards or evidence.
Definition
Subjectivism is the view that knowledge, meaning, or value depends primarily on individual perception or feeling rather than objective facts.
Subjectivism is a philosophical position that treats experience, judgment, or value as rooted in the subject (the person) rather than in an independent external reality. It often emphasizes that what seems true, meaningful, or good can vary from one individual to another. In debates, it is commonly contrasted with objectivism or realism, which claim that truths or values can exist independently of personal viewpoints.
Examples
- In the seminar, she argued that subjectivism explains why moral disagreements persist even among well-informed people.
- I find subjectivism persuasive in aesthetics, because my response to a novel often matters more than any checklist of criteria.
- They criticized his review for slipping into subjectivism instead of supporting his claims with close analysis of the work.
- You can discuss subjectivism without denying facts, but you need to be clear about whether you mean truth, value, or interpretation.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse subjectivism (a philosophical view about dependence on the subject) with being merely subjective (a personal opinion).
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