What is the value of objectivity?
In philosophy, the concept of objectivity is used to mean being free from personal subjectivity which is often brought about by imaginations, emotions and perception. Plato argued in support of objectivity of values including beauty, good and truth. Some theories claim that all values are relative to groups or individuals. Relativists claim that good and truth is a social construct, while others argue that it depends on the perception of an individual. Socrates, together with Plato opposes the Sophists who were relativists. Since we are born, we start developing beliefs and philosophies through our continuous encounters with people. This impacts how we establish facts as we are subject to error.
The relationship between Kierkegaard and Hegel is seen through Socrates’ concept of irony. They do both agree that he is the founder of morality. However, their perspective towards his views is different, as Hegel views Socrates as a tragic hero due to the fate he encountered by getting executed in Athens. He argues that his fate lay on the collision of two worthy principles. The two states lack reconciliation due to their differing relationships of subjective sentiment and objective right. Socrates acts without fear of law and is aware of what he is doing. In this case, Kierkegaard argues that Socrates’ act is in the form of subjective freedom principle.
Kierkegaard on the history of philosophy argues that from Socrates perspective, obeying laws is not objective since it can be changed while Hegel perceives Socrates as trying to mean that people who obey laws in their states are the happiest and are of one mind. Kierkegaard argues that Hegel should have understood that Socrates had only made the negative universally applicable and therefore, indeterminate.
However, as Kierkegaard tries to distance himself away from Hegel’s views, he is still anchored to them. He sometimes finds himself embracing his way of thinking. Both their perspectives are applicable in modern society as one focuses on an individual relationship with others while the other talks of respecting the established institutional laws.