Objectivity

Synopsis

Objectivity has a history, and it is full of surprises. In Objectivity, Lorraine Daston and Peter Galison chart the emergence of objectivity in the mid-nineteenth-century sciences - and show how the concept differs from alternatives, truth-to-nature and trained judgment. This is a story of lofty epistemic ideals fused with workaday practices in the making of scientific images.

From the eighteenth through the early twenty-first centuries, the images that reveal the deepest commitments of the empirical sciences - from anatomy to crystallography - are those featured in scientific atlases: the compendia that teach practitioners of a discipline what is worth looking at and how to look at it. Atlas images define the working objects of the sciences of the eye: snowflakes, galaxies, skeletons, even elementary particles.

Galison and Daston use atlas images to uncover a hidden history of scientific objectivity and its rivals. Whether an atlas maker idealizes an image to capture the essentials in the name of truth-to-nature or refuses to erase even the most incidental detail in the name of objectivity or highlights patterns in the name of trained judgment is a decision enforced by an ethos as well as by an epistemology.

As Daston and Galison argue, atlases shape the subjects as well as the objects of science. To pursue objectivity - or truth-to-nature or trained judgment - is simultaneously to cultivate a distinctive scientific self wherein knowing and knower converge. Moreover, the very point at which they visibly converge is in the very act of seeing not as a separate individual but as a member of a particular scientific community. Embedded in the atlas image, therefore, are the traces of consequential choices about knowledge, persona, and collective sight. Objectivity is a book addressed to any one interested in the elusive and crucial notion of objectivity - and in what it means to peer into the world scientifically.

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Summary

Chapter 1: The Concept of Objectivity

Objectivity is defined as the ability to make judgments or observations without bias or personal interest. It involves separating subjective opinions from objective facts and presenting a balanced view.

Example: A weather forecast should be based on scientific data, not the forecaster's personal guesswork or biases.

Chapter 2: Sources of Bias

Bias can arise from various sources, including:

* Cultural biases: Assumptions or beliefs based on one's upbringing and society.
* Personal biases: Experiences, beliefs, and values that shape our perspectives.
* Cognitive biases: Mental shortcuts that can lead to errors in judgment.

Example: A news article about a political candidate's speech may be biased if the reporter favors that candidate's party.

Chapter 3: Overcoming Bias

Overcoming bias requires conscious effort and strategies such as:

* Awareness: Recognizing the potential for bias and its sources.
* Challenge: Questioning assumptions and seeking evidence contrary to one's beliefs.
* Transparency: Disclosing potential biases to readers or listeners.

Example: A medical researcher might seek peer review of their study to minimize personal biases in data interpretation.

Chapter 4: Objectivity in Different Fields

The importance of objectivity varies depending on the field or context.

* In journalism: Essential to provide unbiased and accurate reporting.
* In science: Crucial for developing reliable and verifiable knowledge.
* In law: Required for impartial decision-making and justice.

Example: A court case should be decided based on evidence, not on the personal beliefs of the judge or jury.

Chapter 5: Challenges to Objectivity

Despite efforts to promote objectivity, certain challenges remain:

* Complexity: The world is often complex, making it difficult to identify clear and unbiased truths.
* Subjectivity: Human experiences and perspectives inevitably influence our interpretations.
* Power imbalances: Powerful individuals or groups can influence or suppress objective perspectives.

Example: A study funded by a pharmaceutical company may be biased in favor of their products.

Chapter 6: The Role of Technology

Technology has the potential to both enhance and undermine objectivity:

* Enhancement: Data analysis and fact-checking tools can assist in identifying biases and inaccuracies.
* Undermining: Social media algorithms can reinforce biases and limit exposure to diverse perspectives.

Example: Algorithms on social media platforms can create echo chambers, where users only encounter content that aligns with their existing beliefs.

Chapter 7: The Future of Objectivity

Achieving true objectivity may be an elusive goal, but constant vigilance and critical thinking are essential. The pursuit of objectivity helps to ensure fairness, accuracy, and the integrity of information and decision-making.

Conclusion:

Objectivity is a complex and challenging concept, but it remains a critical aspiration for various fields and aspects of human society. By acknowledging potential biases, implementing strategies to overcome them, and embracing critical thinking, we can strive to present balanced and unbiased perspectives that foster understanding and informed decision-making.