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The problem is one of opposition between subjective and objective points of view. There is a tendency to seek an objective account of everything before admitting its reality. But often what appears to a more subjective point of view cannot be accounted for in this way. So either the objective conception of the world is incomplete, or the subjective involves illusions that should be rejected.

Thomas Nagel#2

PhilosophyPerceptionScienceTruth

About this quote

What does it mean?
Some realities are subjective and cannot be fully explained by objective facts alone.
In plain terms
We need both personal feelings and scientific facts to understand the world.
What can you take from it?
Objective views alone cannot capture all truth.

Where it applies

  • research
  • debate
  • self-understanding

Putting it to work

  • holistic analysis
  • empathy training
  • interdisciplinary study

Questions to consider

  • What experiences resist objective explanation?

Another view

Balancing subjective and objective views can be difficult in practice.

More from Thomas Nagel

  1. I believe that there is a necessary connection in both directions between the physical and the mental, but that it cannot be discovered a priori. Opinion is st…

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  2. Eventually, I believe, current attempts to understand the mind by analogy with man-made computers that can perform superbly some of the same external tasks as …

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  3. Everyone is entitled to commit murder in the imagination once in a while, not to mention lesser infractions.

    Permalink to quote #4

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