subjectieve

Subjectieve is a term used in philosophy of mind, cognitive science, and Dutch-language discourse to denote the first-person, qualitative aspect of conscious experience—the felt qualities of sensations, thoughts, and emotions as experienced by an individual. The term is derived from the Dutch adjective subjectief (subjective) and is often contrasted with objectieve (objective) aspects that can be independently observed or measured.

In theoretical use, subjectieve captures phenomena such as qualia, perceptual phenomenology, and affective states that resist straightforward measurement. It also encompasses subjective judgments, beliefs, preferences, and interpretations that shape perception and decision-making. The concept plays a central role in discussions of reliability of self-reports, the limits of intersubjective verification, and the role of embodiment in cognition.

Applications appear in psychology, aesthetics, ethics, and human-computer interaction, where researchers attempt to account for subjectieve data—self-reports, introspection, and user experience—alongside objective measures. Methodologies include phenomenological interviews, structured self-report scales, and mixed-method designs to align subjective reports with external data. Critics warn that overemphasis on subjectieve can threaten scientific objectivity, while proponents argue that understanding conscious experience requires attending to subjectieve aspects.

See also Subjectivity, Qualia, Phenomenology, Objectivity.