What does objectivity mean?
Objectivity is the quality of approaching a subject impartially, without allowing personal feelings, preferences, interests, or prejudice to distort judgment or representation. It is especially important in journalism, scholarship, law, science, and public debate, where the credibility of conclusions depends on the audience trusting that relevant evidence has been assessed without improper influence. The term can also have a philosophical meaning: something possesses objectivity when it exists independently of an observer or is not determined merely by personal interpretation. This philosophical sense is related to, but not identical with, everyday impartiality. Objectivity does not mean that a judgment is always correct, and it does not eliminate the need to evaluate evidence or interpretation. It describes a standard of fairness and independence rather than a guarantee of accuracy. The word is derived from the same Latin root as objective and object.
nounThe quality of being objective, especially of judging or representing a matter without personal feelings, bias, or undue influence. In philosophy, it refers to the quality of existing independently of an observer or of being determined by observable facts.
- The practice or quality of judging, describing, or representing a subject impartially and without personal bias.
- In philosophy, the quality of being independent of an observer or of being determined by external facts rather than subjective interpretation.
"The journalist maintained objectivity throughout the contentious interview."
"The panel's objectivity was questioned after one member disclosed a financial interest in the case."
"Philosophers debate whether scientific objectivity is genuinely possible in every field of inquiry."
The plural is rare; objectivity is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The study compared different approaches to achieving objectivity in documentary filmmaking."
Objectivity is the art of looking at a question without letting your own wishes, loyalties, or prejudices decide what you see.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does objectivity come from?
Objectivity developed from objective, which was borrowed through French from Medieval Latin objectivus. These forms ultimately derive from Latin obicere, meaning to throw or place before or against, from ob- meaning against and iacere meaning to throw or cast. The modern sense developed through the idea of something being placed before the mind or considered as an external object. The same Latin root also underlies object and objection.
Related word forms
How objectivity is actually used
In everyday use, objectivity usually means freedom from bias or personal prejudice, especially in journalism, research, law, and debate. In philosophical contexts, it is more technical and may distinguish an object's independence from the observer from impartiality in human judgment. The noun is normally uncountable.