How To Reason Objectively

The scientific method encourages independent and objective thought through a gathering and analysis of evidence. Hopefully as you take food or related science classes you will develop the skill to reason objectively. I wrote about the scientific method in another article but thought I would speak generally here on objective reasoning.

The difference between objective and subjective reasoning

Objective reasoning is based on facts and evidence. It’s not influenced by personal opinions or feelings. In other words, it’s unbiased.

Subjective reasoning, on the other hand, is based on personal opinions and feelings. It’s not necessarily rooted in facts or evidence.

So why is it important to be able to reason objectively? Because when you’re making decisions, you want to be sure that they’re based on facts and evidence, not just on your own opinions and feelings. Objective reasoning can help you see things more clearly and make better decisions.

Of course, there’s nothing wrong with using your own opinions and feelings to make decisions. But it’s important to be aware of the difference between objective and subjective reasoning, so that you can make the best decision possible.

Here’s an example:

You’re considering whether or not to buy a new car. You’ve been thinking about it for weeks, and you really want it. But then you remember that you need to save up for a down payment, and you’re not sure if you can afford it.

If you use objective reasoning, you’ll look at the facts and evidence. You’ll consider things like the cost of the car, your monthly budget, and how much money you have saved up. You’ll make a decision based on what makes the most financial sense.

If you use subjective reasoning, you’ll base your decision on your own feelings and desires. You might convince yourself that you can afford the car even though you really can’t. Or you might decide to buy the car because you really want it, even though it’s not the best financial decision.

Both objective and subjective reasoning have their place. But when it comes to making important decisions, objective reasoning is usually the better choice.

Examples of objective reasoning

One of the best ways to learn how to reason objectively is to look at examples of objective reasoning. Here are a few examples:

1. A scientist is trying to figure out whether a new drug is effective. She designs an experiment in which some people are given the drug and others are not, and then she measures how well they all do on a task. She controls for as many other variables as possible, including age, gender, and health status. The results of the experiment show that the people who took the drug did better on the task than the people who didn’t take the drug. The scientist can reasonably conclude that the drug is effective.
2. A political pollster is trying to figure out whether a particular candidate is ahead in the polls. She looks at a bunch of different polls and takes an average. She also looks at how accurate different polls have been in the past. Based on her analysis, she concludes that the candidate is ahead by 3 percentage points.
3. A reporter is trying to figure out whether a new restaurant is any good. He reads online reviews, talks to friends who have been there, and looks at the menu. Based on his research, he concludes that the restaurant is worth checking out.
4. A student is trying to figure out whether she should study for her upcoming test or go to the party she’s been invited to. She knows that she needs to get a good grade on the test, but she also knows that she’s been studying a lot lately and could use a break. She decides to go to the party.
5. An employee is trying to figure out whether he should ask for a raise. He looks at his job performance, compares it to others in his position, and considers the current state of the economy. Based on his analysis, he decides to ask for a raise.

Here are some tips on how to reason objectively:

1. Gather all the facts about the situation. This means doing your research and looking at both sides of the story.
2. Consider all perspectives. It’s important to try and see things from different points of view.
3. Look at the evidence. What does the evidence say about the situation? Does it support one side more than the other?
4. Think about the long-term consequences of your decisions. Will your actions lead to the outcome you desire?
5. Be open-minded. Be willing to change your opinion if new information or evidence arises.
6. Be logical. Use logic and reasoning to come to your conclusions, rather than letting your emotions guide you.
7. Be impartial. Try to stay unbiased in your thinking. This can be difficult, but it’s important to consider all sides fairly.
8. Make a decision. Once you’ve gathered all the facts and considered all perspectives, it’s time to make a decision.

Conclusion

Objective reasoning is a skill that can be difficult to master, but it is worth the effort. By learning how to reason objectively, you can make better decisions, avoid bias and improve your critical thinking skills. The next time you are presented with a problem or an argument, take a step back and try to look at it from an objective perspective. You may be surprised at how much easier it is to find a solution when you are not clouded by emotion or personal opinion.