Are you ALWAYS Objective?

Objectivity is “judgment based on observable phenomena and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudice” according to the Princeton Word Net dictionary. Should we, as human beings, always be objective with one another? Are there certain situations that could or should be considered as exceptions? This topic is undeniably a controversial subject.

Your brother has committed an irreversible crime. Without a doubt, you will stand by his side, as he would for you as well. However, if you were to look at the act in itself objectively, would you honestly defend what he did? At times, we allow ourselves to close our eyes on certain aspects of life. We choose not to be objective, simply because other criteria are more important; love, family, and trust, above all things.

We are often objective with strangers, claiming that certain things we hear on the news or in our communities are intolerable and should be punished. However, when it comes to ourselves, we have a tendency to forgive, or at least excuse, our excesses. How many times, instead of dealing with consequences, did you mentally tell yourself “It’s okay as long as it doesn’t happen again”?

What about lawyers having to defend pedophiles in court? They must close their eyes on the “possible” acts that the individual has committed, basing their judgment on other solid facts, like a traumatizing experience or insanity for example. Due to certain values and ethics, most individuals are incapable of doing such things.

Objectivity is controversial because no matter what we do, there will always be a time when we will be subjective, whether it is with someone that is close to us, someone we admire, or simply with ourselves. This is a fact of life, and cannot be changed.