Bias. It's there. And if we want to be fair, we try to avoid it. But what's with the push for objectivity? It's to put oneself aside and make the right decision, yes. But why? Why does it matter all that much? In my opinion, it gets to the very heart of our ambitions.
To be objective is to avoid bias, and a bias would be a conflict of interest. Bias is a flaw. So, to attempt to be objective is to admit something: I am not perfect. I make mistakes. My decisions aren't always right. Objectivity, then, is this: The counteraction of imperfection, especially in decisions. The objective of objectivity, in this light, reflects a sort of Platonic pursuit. Man tries to reach the form.
This is not always true, of course. People don't always attempt to be objective. But in this, they embrace a sort of selfishness that neglects such a pursuit of the form. But those who do understand that, in order to get closer to the ideal man or woman, they must cast off the things that cloud their judgment.
The problem with the pursuit objectivity is this: True objectivity doesn't exist. There isn't an instant in which a man can be completely objective, because he lives in this world. And living in this world causes his logic to be influenced by numerous factors. Because of this, two people who have absolutely no stake in a situation can come to two different conclusions regarding an action that must be taken. This is why a jury often argues amongst itself, as well as why it is made of more than one person. Objectivity cannot be achieved.
This doesn't mean that one shouldn't try, of course. Objectivity is still a noble pursuit. It whisks away a few of the clouds that have been cast over our judgment. It's still an attempt to counteract imperfection. But it is important to realize the limits of this pursuit. A belief that one is completely objective assures him or her that the surface under him or her is solid, when in fact it is not. This realization forces one to question his judgment, to check the ground. Because, we live in a subjective world where we make subjective choices.
There is one more thing regarding objectivity: I don't believe God is objective. Why would He be? If objectivity is an attempt to counteract imperfection and flawed judgment, God has no use for it. He is able to make decisions with complete bias and interest and make the right--the perfect--decision.
Objectivity is a myth, but one worth pursuing. It is our calling to pursue Perfection.
Is it really our calling to pursue perfection? As you know, I can be a perfectionist. I want to do things perfectly, say things perfectly, and I'd be perfect if I could. I once had a high school teacher say to me, "Excellence is not achieved by settling for perfection." I didn't understand that. How is perfection something you SETTLE for? It's like one end of the spectrum is the complete opposite of perfection, the other is perfection itself, and in the middle is settling. But I gradually understood. I can't be perfect. Perfection doesn't exist among humanity (except in Jesus, who is no longer here in human form, and we don't know everything about him), so it is futile to pursue it. To pursue perfection is to waste time and energy chasing the impossible. Instead, try to achieve excellence--something that CAN be done by people, preferably with God as the standard--and I'll be more successful and overall just a better person than if I go after perfection.
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