I hear and use both subjective and objective claims all the time, and it was only after reading Chapter 2 of Epstein that I actually understood the differences between the value in what I say. And there’s a big difference with every slight change in word choice.
Subjective claims are statements that hold truth-value only relative to the person making the claim, while objective claims are impersonal.
I went to Los Angeles this past week and a new water show World of Colors premiered to the public in Disney’s theme park California Adventure. It was amazing! It featured Disney movies of all generations, from the classic Snow White and Little Mermaid to Wall-E and Toy Story. However, not once did Mickey Mouse ever show! I’m a big Disney fan and I was a bit disappointed with that, and that’s when I made the subjective claim: “Disneyland’s Fantasmic water show is better than World of Colors.”
Saying something such as that may be true to myself and how I think, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it will be true for the next person. This was based on my own personal standard.
Also involving these two Disney water shows, and in reply to my claim, my friend said to me, “Yeah, plus Fantasmic is a longer show than World of Colors.” His statement is true, no matter what anybody thinks or feels concerning the water shows, therefore it is an objective claim.
Fantasmic is a longer water show than the new World of Colors (objective), and that is one reason why it is better (subjective).
(But I’d still go back to California Adventure to watch it again!)
YAY!!! I love the Disney spin that you put on to it. I think that it makes it way more interesting to read about. I have not been to Disney in a while but I have heard that the Fantasmic show is that best one that they have ever done! You can just never go wrong with Disney. As for the reading I would agree. Epstein makes it really easy to read and fallow alone with what he is trying to say. I think it is a wonderful textbook and written very nicely. I love how many pictures and comics are in there it makes you want to turn the page so see what funny thing is next.
ReplyDeleteNice use of the disney examples! When I read your post, it makes me want to go to Disneyland because I haven't been there since elementary school. I wonder how the Fantasmic show looks like..
ReplyDeleteI recently went to Disneyland as well unfortunately when I went, the new water show at California Adventure was not open yet. However I did see the new summer fireworks show at the Disneyland park. I really like your examples for explaining subjective and objective claims. You used a topic that is interesting to read about. Also I found it easy to read your examples to better understand the topic of subjective and objective claims. Like you mentioned in the beginning small wording changes can make a difference. Some ways of wording can make subjects difficult to fully understand. However reading your post was hopeful to completely grasp the concept of subjective and objective claims.
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