Theory
Define Subjectivity:
“In cultural studies the ‘I’ or ‘self’ is not something pre-given, that is, something that exists outside an historical context or society and culture. However, the terms ‘self’ or ‘I’ have traditionally been designated to describe this pre-given essentialist notion. Because of this, cultural studies uses the term ;subject’ or ‘subjectivity’ to convey the self as that which is situated and constructed in relations of power: that is, to others, to culture and society, as well as to gender, language, and political and ethnic contexts” (Anderson & Schlunke 2008, p.318).
In layman’s terms, Subjectivity is simply “judgment based on individual personal impressions and feelings and opinions rather than external facts” (http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=subjectivity 2010).
Key Philosophers and theorists:
-Friedrich Nietzsche
-Michel Foucault
-Julia Kristeva
-Gilles Deleuze
-Felix Guattari
-Jacques Derrida
When we look at the word "subjectivity", it is only assumed that there is a binary opposite. Such Western ways of thinking provoke oppositions, whereby one category is always privileged over the other; hierarchical and never neutral (Anderson & Schlunk 2008, p.2). So, if we apply this concept of the either/or distinction we come to recognise that the binary opposite of "subjectivity" is "objectivity". So, what comes first? The chicken or the egg? Objectivity refers to matters that are certain, valid or factual, and concerns matters that can be measured or quantified. Objective" means "not just from someone’s point of view. APPARENTLY, "An objective matter is one that everyone (who is sane, rational, and appropriately informed) will agree about" (Thinking critically about the subjective-objective distinction 2008). So, from a subjective view I'd say that "objectivity" is more privileged over "subjectivity".
But, how/But, why/ But..BUT....BUt....bUT!
So, how does this all relate? Well, this leads us to the mind/body dualism, which again is a suggestion of binary oppositions. The beginning foundations of this particular binary looks at that Plato's ideas surrounding mind/body opposition. Anderson and Schlunke outline how in Western thinking the mind has always privileged over the body. However, Plato discusses the soul and how it can be differentiated from the body, and the ways in which the body acts "simply as a vessel for its existence" (Anderson & Schlunke 2008, p.2-3). According to Plato, the soul can exist without the body.
"One problem with Plato's dualism was that, though he speaks of the soul as imprisoned in the body, there is no clear account of what binds a particular soul to a particular body. Their difference in nature makes the union a mystery" (http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism/ 2007).
However, with thought follows 'reason' and Descartes, French mathematician, philosopher, and physiologist of the 17th century determined in his De Homine that Mind could also affect body. From here, Descartes produced his Meditations on First Philosophy.
"By localizing the soul's contact with body in the pineal gland, Descartes had raised the question of the relationship of mind to the brain and nervous system. Yet at the same time, by drawing a radical ontological distinction between body as extended and mind as pure thought, Descartes, in search of certitude, had paradoxically created intellectual chaos"(Wozniak 1992).
Descartes established that the one true certainty for determining metaphysical foundations was 'the thinking thing' (mind). The mind privileges over the body, as Descartes believed that the mind was "the only way to produce certainty and dispel scepticism" (Anderson & Schlunke 2008, p.3). He rejects the 'senes', which ultimately sees a rejection of the body because to Descartes 'senses' are unreliable for understanding and measuring truth.
I'm now starting to see Descartes occupational relations between "philosopher" and "mathematician".
Descartes construction of such intellectual chaos can be directly related to western thinking, and I feel as though he (un)consciously places such binary constructs on the mind/body dualism which directly relates to opposing ideas surrounding "objective"/"subjective" thinking and which is measured more highly. In his final book, Passions of the soul he argues "that intellectual pursuits (reason or thinking) belong to the mind, and physiological and chemical impulses to the body" (Anderson & Schlunke 2008, p.4).
I'm starting to tangle myself into a greater web because when we look at the binary opposition of male/ female, duality of characteristics are then placed to either male/female. It is assumed that males are associated with the "mind" and women with the "body", which as we tunnel further down reflects the "mind" as intellect and the "body" as emotion. despite Descartes arguing that sensations and emotions involve an intermingle between both mind and body, the binary opposition still favours the "mind" over the "body" from Descartes perspective. So, I guess now we can begin to understand the hierarchical structure of power relations between male/female and identity politics?
I'm beginning to get so confused. I actually thought I was starting to grasp this but now I'm tangled even more because I'm asking myself the following:
How do we measure ideas subjectively/objectively?
Why do we automatically feel obliged to shift towards Descartes concepts of mind/body duality more so than Plato's?
Is there Cultural bias in our every day thought processes?
Philosophical relativism?
Anthropological relativism?
What is truth?
Human Universals? Do they exist?
The 'mind' contrasted with the 'body'- can this represent subjectivity versus objectivity?
MY BRAIN IS ACHING...
references:
Anderson, Nicole & Schlunke, Katrina 2008, Cultural Theory in Everyday practice, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
Dualism, viewed 15 August 2011, http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/dualism/
Thinking critically about "Subjective"/"Objective" Distinction, viewed August 15 2011,
Wozniak, Robert H. 1992, Mind and Body: Rene Déscartes to William James, Serendip, Washington
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