SUBJECTIVITY

SUBJECTIVITY

refers to the perception or experience of reality from

within a person‘s own perspective (both conscious and
unconscious) and necessarily limited by the boundary
or horizon of a person‘s own worldview.

THE TERM INTERSUBJECTIVITY IS ORIGINALLY

COINED BY THE PHILOSOPHER EDMUND HUSSERL
(1859–1938).

INTER - SUBJECTIVITY

is the shared perception of reality among two or more

individuals. It is made possible by the awareness of the self
and the other.
It opens us up to the nature of commitment, the value of
others, and the reality of love as the highest form of
recognition. It pertains to human relationships
characterized by a shared sense of responsibility toward
each other, respect for differences, and empathy.

TRUE HEROISM LIES ON INTERSUBJECTIVITY - YOU HELP

OTHERS OUT OF EMPATHY, RESPECT, AND
SELFLESSNESS WITHOUT EXPECTING SOMETHING IN
RETURN.
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PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOUT

INTERSUBJECTIVITY

MUTUAL UNDERSTANDING

an important objective of any conversation be it a simple

dialogue or an argumentation.

THROUGH COMMUNICATION
Thoughts are refined, relationship is deepened, trust in others
and confidence in oneself are built.
WHEN PEOPLE CONVERSE
bridges are constructed, strangers become friends, and
individuals turn into a society of people.

A. THEORY OF COMMUNICATIVE ACTION | JÜRGEN HABERMAS

Jürgen Habermas, a known German sociologist and philosopher

introduces “speech actions” as the predominant means by which
understanding is achieved. He formulated four tests, or validity
claims that must occur in conversation to achieve mutual
understanding.

1. COMPREHENSIBILITY - pertains to the use of ordinary language.

2. TRUTH - refers to how true the uttered statement in reference to
objective facts.
3. TRUTHFULNESS - pertains to the genuine intention of the speaker
which is essential for the hearer’s gaining trust. Sincerity in
relationship is an important aspect in achieving mutual
understanding.
4. RIGHTNESS - pertains to the acceptable tone and pitch of voice
and expressions.
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PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOUT

INTERSUBJECTIVITY

B. I-THOU RELATIONSHIP | MARTIN BUBER

“machines which were invented in order to serve men in their

work were no longer, like tools, an extension of man’s arm but
man became that extension doing the bidding of the machines”.
The way man treats the machine as an object becomes also his
way of treating the other human person.
He explored the psychology of individual man in two distinct
modes or relationships, namely, the ‘I-It’ and the ‘I-Thou’.

1. EXPERIENCE - (I-It Relationship) - is the mode that modern man

almost exclusively uses.The “it” is viewed as a thing to be
utilized, a thing to be known, or put for some purpose.
Modern human relationship is mostly grounded on others viewing
another human person as an “it” rather than as a “Thou” and
treats everyone as a means to their selfish ends.
2. ENCOUNTER - (I-Thou) - both the “I” and the ‘other’ enter into a
genuine relationship as active participants.This treating the
other as a “You” and not an “it” is, for Buber, made possible by
“Love” because in love, subjects do not perceive each other as
objects but subjects.
For Buber, love is an I-Thou relation in which both subjects share
a sense of caring, respect, commitment, and responsibility.
By valuing the others we also encourage or give them reason to
value us. Authenticity, therefore, lies in mutual intersubjective
relations wherein despite our differences we recognize each other
as humans.

THE OTHERS ARE NOT MEANS, TOOLS, OR INSTRUMENTS FOR THE

FULFILMENT OF MY WHIMS BUT, RATHER, THEY ARE A COMPANION IN LIFE, A
FRIEND TO RELY ON, A PERSON WORTHY TO LIVE WITH.
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PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES ABOUT

INTERSUBJECTIVITY

C. FACE OF THE OTHER | EMMANUEL LEVINAS

Whenever we deal with someone, we use the values and beliefs

that we inherited from our society.
For Emmanuel Levinas, a French philosopher, these social values
and beliefs are abstract concept that blurred our sight and hinder
us in seeing, accepting, and relating humanely with “others” for
we give more importance to those concepts than to the “concrete
person” who deserves more of our attention.

ACCEPTANCE - Levinas offers lots of good insights for achieving

authentic intersubjective relationship.

1. We have our moral duty and infinite responsibility to people who

are marginalized and underprivileged.
The vulnerable “others” are not necessarily the one in the street
but sometime they are simply our neighbors, members of our
family, and even our class/school mates.
Usually, the “other” does not actually need “something” from us
but only companionship, someone to talk to, someone who has
the heart to listen.

2. Be open for, prepared to, and impassioned with the radical

difference of the other.
Our society has taught us what is moral and immoral, good and
bad, right and wrong. They serve as standards of living in order
for us to live together harmoniously. However, Levinas is also
correct in saying that they could also be instruments for
“uniform” behavior, thinking, and living.
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INTERSUBJECTIVITY

3. Look at the reason why we give, care, and help the others.
Reciprocity is not and should not be the reason in fulfilling our
responsibility to others.We give, help, assist because he/she
needs and no other reason. Romantically speaking, this is
unconditional love, loving without condition and selfish intention.
However, it will need deep faith in God and genuine love for
others to be able to fulfil an extra-ordinary responsibility.
Luckily, we have lots of exemplary people – saints, missionaries,
leaders, doctors, teachers, simple villagers, ordinary mother – in
the history of humankind in which we can get inspiration.
In a world where people control or influence others in the name of
politics, religion, drugs or money, or act as heroes with selfish
intentions, there is a need more than ever for relationship-
centered people to stand up and show the world the gift of
intersubjective relationship.
Perhaps, the only way to peace is for each and every person to
recognize the value of “others” and establish authentic
relationship centered on unconditional love.