Subjectivity: meaning, definitions and examples

The term is typically used in academic or philosophical discussions to denote the influence of personal feelings, tastes, or opinions in decision-making or judgment processes.

• The subjectivity in his analysis made the conclusions less reliable
• Art critique often involves a high degree of subjectivity

This word is less common and can be seen as a variation of 'subjectivity', often found in more formal or academic texts to describe the quality of being influenced by personal feelings.

• The subjectiveness of the review was questioned by many readers
• Despite the subjectiveness of the matter, a decision had to be made

This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation to express an individual's own thoughts or beliefs, emphasizing that the statement is not universally accepted but is held by the speaker.

• In my personal opinion, this is the best movie of the year
• She shared her personal opinion on the new policy during the meeting

Subjectivity is used when discussing personal perspectives, feelings, or opinions. It highlights how individuals perceive the world based on their own experiences, emotions, and biases.

• Her subjectivity influenced her interpretation of the novel.
• The essay focused on the subjectivity of the artist's work.

Relativism is used in philosophical and ethical discussions where the validity of beliefs, values, and truths is viewed as relative to cultural, social, or individual differences. It's often debated in contexts involving moral or cultural judgment.

• Cultural relativism argues that we should understand other cultures on their own terms.
• His argument leaned heavily on moral relativism, suggesting that ethical truths vary between societies.

Subjective idealism is used in philosophical discussions, especially those concerning metaphysics and epistemology. It refers to the belief that reality is mentally constructed and that there is no existence independent of perception.

• Berkeley's subjective idealism posits that objects only exist as perceptions in the mind.
• In her thesis, she defended subjective idealism, arguing that our reality is fundamentally shaped by individual consciousness.