Adaptivism

The Myth but Necessity of Objectivity

Adaptivism Pillar Three: Pragmatic Objectivity

Many will tell you that there is a right and wrong way to do things, that there exists a clear binary of good and evil, black and white, them versus us. However, the complexities of life often blur these lines, creating a vast gray zone where good and evil intersect, contradict, and shift depending on perspective, making right and wrong nearly indistinguishable.

This reality exposes the fundamental illusion of objectivity. The world is not governed by an unchanging set of truths nor is it void of structure entirely. Context, history, knowledge, and personal experience shape every judgment we make, making it impossible to separate perception from reality completely. Even the most objective scientific methods are bound by human limitations, as our interpretations of data are inevitably influenced by biases, expectations, and frameworks constructed by subjective beings.

The Truth but Unsustainability of Subjectivity

Faced with this uncertainty, many argue that all perspectives are equally valid, and the only ethical way forward is through radical inclusivity, unrestricted diversity, and equality over equity. While this stance is noble, it is foolish in reality because it dismantles everything our world needs to function. A system or society without a shared foundation destroys all order and rationality.

If every viewpoint is given equal weight, how do we make decisions? How do we govern, educate, or administer justice? How can laws be enforced if no moral or factual standard holds precedence? How is responsibility assigned when causality itself is up to interpretation? How do we resolve conflicts when opposing beliefs are equally valid? How do we determine rights and responsibilities in a society without shared principles? If all truth is personal, then no truth holds authority over another, and structure completely collapses.

The result is a paradox: though objectivity is an unattainable ideal, pure subjectivity is an unsustainable reality. Civilization cannot function if it lacks common ground. We require a framework, not to impose an absolute truth, nor to neglect structure entirely, but to create a system that allows discourse, order, and progress.

The Tension but Inevitability of Hierarchy

A functional society cannot exist without some form of hierarchy. Not in the sense of oppressive power structures, nor in the absence of rules altogether, but in the recognition that expertise, experience, and reason matter. While every individual is entitled to their beliefs, not all beliefs are equally valid in all contexts.

A doctor’s expertise in evaluating and treating patients is undeniable. While a patient’s personal experiences with certain illnesses and conditions may offer valuable insight, it does not equate to medical knowledge. Without the doctor’s trained judgment, the patient’s wellbeing would be left to uncertainty and conjecture rather than informed care.

A physicist trained in established theories has a strong foundation for understanding the universe. While big ideas have historically come from unconventional thinkers, these shifts only gain legitimacy when subjected to rigorous testing and validation by experts, not simply because they challenge the status quo. Without such scrutiny and verification, scientific progress would be indistinguishable from speculation.

A historian can analyze centuries of documented events, drawing conclusions from patterns and records. While someone who has lived through an event may offer valuable personal insight, firsthand accounts alone are not enough to construct an objective historical narrative. Without expert analysis and authentication, history would be reduced to an incoherent collection of conflicting perspectives rather than a structured understanding of the past.

A politician with years of experience crafting legislation understands the complexities of governance, economic impact, and international relations. While an everyday citizen directly experiences the consequences of policies, their perspective alone does not encompass the broader implications of governing an entire nation. Policy must balance public sentiment with the expertise needed to navigate long term societal stability.

Hierarchy, then, is not about dominance, but function. It is not deception, but an acknowledgment that knowledge, skill, and experience shape better decisions. Yet hierarchy must remain dynamic, grounded in principles that guide but do not confine.

Just as a legal system evolves with new ethical considerations while maintaining the rule of law, our conception of objectivity must be both resilient and responsive. We must accept that no understanding is ever perfect, yet still insist on the pursuit of principles that provide structure without stifling progress. The challenge is not in choosing between rigid authority and unchecked relativism, but in crafting a framework that values expertise while allowing for revision, growth, and adaptation.

The Paradox yet Requirement of Balance

Objectivity, though an unattainable myth in its purest form, remains one of our most essential constructs. Without it, communication breaks down, knowledge becomes arbitrary, and moral frameworks dissolve into incoherence. Despite being ultimately unattainable, if we abandon the pursuit of objectivity altogether, we risk descending into extreme relativism, where no idea holds precedence, and all decisions become practically impossible.

The solution is not to impose an absolute truth, nor to abandon structure in favor of infinite subjectivity, but to establish a shared reality: one that values expertise, reason, and evidence while remaining adaptable to new information, perspectives, and complications. We must acknowledge our limitations while still striving for a system that fosters progress, cooperation, and justice. Perfect objectivity will never be within our grasp, and neither will total subjectivity serve us. But by constructing a framework that blends stability with flexibility, we create the foundation necessary not only to survive but to thrive.