Dilemmas of Objectivity

April 9, 2009 in Uncategorized | No comments

If you wish to discuss a particular conception of objectivity with me, please submit your argument with one of the following definitions of objectivity written clearly, in bold large-print font, immediately after your name:

  1. Value neutrality;
  2. Lack of bias, bias that includes:
    1. Personal attachment;
    2. Political aims;
    3. Ideological commitments;
    4. Preferences;
    5. Desires;
    6. Interests;
    7. Emotion.
  3. Scientific method;
  4. Rationality;
  5. An attitude of ‘psychological distance’;
  6. ‘World-directedness’;
  7. Impersonality;
  8. Impartiality;
  9. Having to do with facts;
  10. Having to do with things as they are in themselves; as universality;
  11. Disinterestedness;
  12. Commensurability;
  13. Intersubjective agreement.

From Janack, Marianne. “Dilemmas of Objectivity.” Social Epistemology 16.3 (2002): 267-281.