sübjektif

Subjective, or sübjektif in its orthographic variant, denotes judgments, attitudes, and evaluations that arise from personal feelings, tastes, and experiences rather than external facts. It describes how a person perceives or appraises something through their individual perspective.

Origin and spelling: The concept derives from Latin subjectus and is commonly rendered as subjective or subjektif in several languages. The form with an umlaut, sübjektif, appears in certain orthographies and dialects, but the underlying idea remains personal and observer-dependent rather than universal.

Philosophically and epistemologically, subjectivity is contrasted with objectivity. Objectivity aims for observer-independent facts, while subjectivity highlights the role of the observer's mind, context, beliefs, and emotions. Some frameworks argue that all knowledge carries subjective elements; others emphasize methods to reduce bias and increase reliability.

Subjectivity is central in culture, art, and personal life, where multiple interpretations are normal. In science, journalism, and law, subjectivity is typically acknowledged and controlled through reflexivity, standardized procedures, and peer review to avoid equivocal conclusions.

Examples illustrate the distinction: "This chili is too spicy" expresses personal taste (subjective). "Water boils at 100°C at sea level" states an objective property. Recognizing subjectivity helps explain why people may disagree and why shared understanding often requires context and dialogue.

Related concepts include objectivity, bias, perception, reflexivity, and intersubjectivity.