Subjectivity

Definition

Subjectivity refers to the way individuals perceive and interpret their experiences, emphasizing personal feelings, thoughts, and perspectives. It highlights the importance of personal meaning and understanding in shaping one’s reality, contrasting with objective truths that are independent of individual interpretation. In the context of modern philosophy, subjectivity is crucial for understanding existential themes, where individual existence and choices take center stage.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Kierkegaard emphasized the importance of individual choice and personal faith, suggesting that subjectivity is essential to authentic existence.
2. Sartre argued that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals create their own identities through choices, underscoring the role of subjectivity in forming one's self.
3. Both Kierkegaard and Sartre viewed despair as a fundamental part of the human experience, stemming from the conflict between subjective desires and the objective world.
4. For Sartre, freedom is intertwined with subjectivity; individuals are condemned to be free and must take responsibility for their actions and choices.
5. Subjectivity challenges traditional notions of absolute truths by asserting that different perspectives can coexist, leading to various interpretations of meaning and existence.

Review Questions

• How do Kierkegaard's views on subjectivity contribute to his concept of authentic existence?
  • Kierkegaard believed that authentic existence is rooted in the individual's ability to make personal choices guided by subjective values and beliefs. He argued that embracing one's subjectivity allows individuals to confront their own truths and establish a meaningful relationship with faith. This emphasis on personal experience highlights that true authenticity arises from making choices aligned with one's inner self, rather than conforming to external standards or societal expectations.
• In what ways does Sartre's idea of 'existence precedes essence' reflect the significance of subjectivity in his philosophy?
  • Sartre's concept that 'existence precedes essence' underscores that individuals are not born with a predetermined nature; instead, they define themselves through their actions and choices. This principle elevates subjectivity as central to understanding human existence because it emphasizes that people must create their own values and meaning. Thus, every choice becomes a reflection of an individual's subjective experience, shaping who they are in an otherwise indifferent universe.
• Evaluate how subjectivity influences the idea of freedom in existentialism as discussed by Kierkegaard and Sartre.
  • Subjectivity deeply influences the notion of freedom in existentialism by suggesting that true freedom comes from recognizing one's ability to choose based on personal convictions rather than societal expectations. For both Kierkegaard and Sartre, this freedom is accompanied by responsibility; individuals must confront the consequences of their choices within a subjective framework. This connection reveals that personal liberation is tied not just to the act of choosing but also to the authenticity of those choices in relation to one’s true self.

Related terms

Existentialism: A philosophical movement focusing on individual freedom, choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life, which individuals must confront to create their own essence.

Authenticity: The quality of being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, often discussed in relation to existentialist ideas about self-creation and living genuinely.

Absurdism: The belief that human beings exist in a purposeless universe and must find personal meaning despite the inherent contradictions and conflicts in life.