The concept “Subjectivism” can be traced back to the Latin word ‘subjectus,’ meaning ‘subordinate’ or ‘underlying.’
In the 16th century, the French word ‘sujet’ emerged, signifying ‘an individual’ or ‘a person considered as the source of experience.’
The English term ‘subjectivism’ appeared in the 17th century, initially referring to a philosophical doctrine that emphasized the role of the subject in knowledge acquisition.
Meanings
The belief that knowledge and experience are subjective and depend on the individual’s perspective.
The emphasis on personal feelings, emotions, and interpretations in various fields, including literature, art, and ethics.
Concept
Focus on the Individual: Subjectivism highlights the role of the individual’s mind, experiences, and biases in shaping their understanding of the world.
Varying Interpretations: It acknowledges that a single text, event, or artwork can have multiple valid interpretations based on individual perspectives.
Limited Objectivity: Subjectivism suggests that achieving complete objectivity in knowledge acquisition might be difficult or even impossible.
Value of Personal Experience: It emphasizes the importance of individual experiences and perspectives in constructing meaning.
Subjectivism is a philosophical stance that emphasizes the central role of human consciousness in shaping reality. It suggests that knowledge, values, and meaning are not fixed or external but are instead constructed by individual minds based on their unique experiences and perspectives. Thus, subjectivism posits that there is no single, absolute truth; instead, truths are relative to the individual observer.
Subjectivism: Theorists, Works and Arguments
Theorists
Protagoras (5th century BC): One of the earliest and most influential Sophists, Protagoras believed that what appears to be true for one individual may not necessarily be true for another. He famously stated, “Man is the measure of all things,” suggesting that reality is shaped by individual perceptions and experiences.
David Hume (18th century): A key figure in the Enlightenment, Hume’s skepticism challenged the notion of objective knowledge. He argued that all our knowledge is derived from sensory experience, which is always subjective and personal. Hume stressed that even our understanding of cause and effect is based on habitual expectations rather than on a fixed external reality.
Friedrich Nietzsche (19th century): Nietzsche rejected traditional notions of objective morality and truth. He proposed that life is ultimately about the individual’s will to power and the creation of their own values. Nietzsche’s perspectivism views all knowledge and truth claims as contingent on individual perspectives and interpretations.
Edmund Husserl (20th century): The founder of phenomenology, Husserl revolutionized the way we think about consciousness. He emphasized the intentional nature of consciousness, meaning it is always directed towards objects or experiences. Husserl’s focus on the lived experience, including biases and presuppositions, influenced later thinkers in the areas of existentialism and postmodernism.
Nelson Goodman (20th century): A prominent philosopher of language, Goodman challenged the notion of a single, absolute reality. He introduced the concept of “worldmaking” to propose that individuals actively construct realities through their use of symbols, classifications, and interpretations. For Goodman, there are multiple valid world versions, shaped by distinct perspectives and organizing principles.
Works
Protagoras’ Theaetetus (Plato): This dialogue by Plato records and grapples with Protagoras’ views on subjectivism and relativism. Plato ultimately argues against Protagoras’ ideas, but the exchange stimulates a deeper understanding of the role of individual perception in knowledge.
Hume’s A Treatise of Human Nature: A cornerstone of Western philosophy, this work presents Hume’s skeptical empiricism. He dissects the concepts of cause and effect, morality, and identity, emphasizing the subjective origins of our knowledge and beliefs.
Nietzsche’s Beyond Good and Evil: This influential critique challenges traditional Western morality. Nietzsche explores the subjective nature of values, contending that “truths” are often just interpretations that have become dominant through force of will.
Husserl’s Ideas: General Introduction to Pure Phenomenology: This foundational work outlines Husserl’s phenomenological method. It highlights the concept of bracketing (setting aside preconceptions) to focus on the essential structures of experience and consciousness.
Goodman’s Ways of Worldmaking: One of Goodman’s most celebrated works, this book explores the multiplicity of realities. He highlights how symbols, systems, and interpretive frameworks shape our understanding of the world, emphasizing the constructed and subjective nature of reality.
Arguments
The Argument from Perception: Our senses are imperfect and can be deceived. Different people experience the world through different sensory filters, leading to varied and often conflicting interpretations.
The Argument from Language: The very language we use shapes our reality. Words and linguistic categories influence our perception, often in ways we don’t fully realize.
The Argument from Experience: Our personal experiences, including our upbringing, cultural background, and emotional states, profoundly influence how we perceive and interpret the world.
The Argument from Culture: Cultural norms and values shape our worldview and understanding. Different cultures have distinct ways of understanding concepts such as morality, beauty, and truth, underscoring the subjective nature of such interpretations.
Subjectivism: Major Characteristics
Major Characteristic
Description
Literary Reference
Emphasis on Individual Perspective
Subjectivism privileges the unique viewpoint and experiences of the reader/observer.
Hamlet by William Shakespeare: The play’s ambiguity allows for multiple valid interpretations, depending on the reader’s focus on Hamlet’s inner conflict, political intrigue, or philosophical themes.
No Single, Absolute Truth
There is no fixed, universal truth; instead, truth is relative to the individual.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: The novel can be interpreted through different lenses – a social commentary, a love story, or a tale of illusion and disillusionment – highlighting the lack of a singular interpretation.
Significance of Personal Experiences
An individual’s experiences shape their understanding and interpretation of a text.
In Search of Lost Time by Marcel Proust: The novel’s focus on involuntary memory demonstrates how past experiences shape present perceptions and interpretations.
Role of Emotion and Intuition
Subjectivism acknowledges the influence of emotions and instincts on interpretation.
The poetry of Emily Dickinson: Dickinson’s emotional intensity and unconventional language offer a unique and deeply personal perspective on themes of nature, death, and love.
Importance of Context
The reader’s background, culture, and knowledge influence their understanding.
Beloved by Toni Morrison: Understanding the novel’s context of slavery and its legacy in the US is crucial for a nuanced reading of the characters’ experiences and perspectives.
Subjectivism is central to this theory, emphasizing the active role of the reader in creating meaning. Individual experiences, knowledge, and biases shape a reader’s interaction with a text.
Subjectivism aligns with postmodern skepticism towards fixed truths and “grand narratives.” Postmodern works often play with multiple interpretations, suggesting the constructed and fluid nature of meaning.
Subjectivity reveals the influence of gender, power structures, and marginalized voices in text interpretation. It uncovers how dominant narratives may silence alternative perspectives.
Acknowledges the subjective role of the unconscious mind, desires, and personal experiences in shaping the reader’s interpretation and relationship with a text.
Considers context and power relations, recognizing that historical readings are subjective. It highlights how interpretations are influenced by the reader’s cultural background, their own historical moment, and their position within power structures.
Subjectivism: Application in Critiques
Novels
*Jane Eyre (Charlotte Brontë)
Focus on Jane’s Experience: A subjective analysis emphasizes Jane’s first-person narrative, exploring how her childhood experiences shape her views on love, class, and independence.
Ambiguity and Interpretation: Readers may differ in their readings of Rochester; is he a Byronic hero or a manipulative abuser? Subjectivity highlights varying interpretations based on personal values and experiences.
*Ulysses (James Joyce)
Multiple Perspectives: The novel’s stream-of-consciousness style mirrors the subjective nature of thought processes. Each character’s inner monologue reveals their distinct worldview.
Difficulty as Subjectivity: The novel’s experimental form challenges traditional notions of plot and coherence. A reader’s struggle with the text can be seen as a reflection of the subjective nature of meaning-making.
Non-Fiction
*A Brief History of Time (Stephen Hawking)
The Reader as Participant: Hawking’s simplified explanations of complex scientific theories invite the reader to co-construct an understanding of the universe.
The Limits of Knowledge: Even a scientific text is subjective in relation to the reader’s pre-existing knowledge and their ability to conceptualize abstract theories.
*Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind (Yuval Noah Harari)
Challenging Grand Narratives: Harari critiques traditional historical narratives, highlighting their subjective origins and the biases embedded within them.
Speculative Interpretations: The book’s bold claims about the future of humanity encourage individual contemplation and reflection, leading to diverse and subjective responses.
A broad cultural and philosophical movement characterized by skepticism towards absolute truths, a focus on subjectivity, and the playful use of language.
Subjectivism: Suggested Readings
Books
Abrams, Meyer Howard, and Geoffrey Galt Harpham. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2011. (Provides clear definitions of key terms related to subjectivism, like reader-response theory, phenomenology, and more)
Eagleton, Terry. Literary Theory: An Introduction. 2nd ed., U of Minnesota P, 2008. (Offers a historical overview of literary theories, including the development of subjectivist thought.)
Goodman, Nelson. Ways of Worldmaking. Hackett, 1978. (A seminal work exploring how individuals construct their understanding of reality)
Kukkonen, Karin. Contemporary Postmodern Fiction. Routledge, 2013. (Analyzes literary works that exemplify the concepts of subjectivity and constructed reality)
Articles
Culler, Jonathan. “Literary Criticism and the Sciences of Man.” The Georgia Review, vol. 31, no. 4, 1977, pp. 865-883, [invalid URL removed]. (Explores the interconnections between literary criticism and subjectivism).
Fish, Stanley. “Is There a Text in This Class?” Is There a Text in This Class? The Authority of Interpretive Communities. Harvard UP, 1980, pp. 303-321. (A cornerstone of reader-response theory, arguing for the role of interpretive communities in shaping meaning.)
Tompkins, Jane. “An Introduction to Reader-ResponseCriticism.” Reader-Response Criticism: From Formalism to Post-Structuralism. Ed. Jane Tompkins. John Hopkins UP, 1980, pp. ix-xxvi. (Excellent overview of reader-response theory).
Websites
The Johns Hopkins Guide to Literary Theory and Criticism https://litguide.press.jhu.edu/: A comprehensive resource with articles and explanations of a wide array of literary theories, including those addressing subjectivism.
Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy https://plato.stanford.edu/: Contains in-depth entries on topics like phenomenology, relativism, and other philosophical concepts relevant to subjectivism.
