Objective
"Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions in representing facts; a goal or aim."
Morphological Anatomy
The root object (from Latin obiectus, meaning "thrown in the way") is combined with the suffix -ive to create an adjective that describes something external to the mind.
Etymology Timeline
obiectivus
From obiectus, meaning "presented to the mind."
Objective
Initially used in scholastic philosophy to mean "existing as an object of thought." The modern sense of "unbiased" emerged in the 19th century.
Word Family & Derivatives
A material thing that can be seen and touched.
The quality of being objective; lack of bias or prejudice.
To treat a person or abstract concept as an object.
In a way that is not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
Usage in Context
The word objective serves two primary roles. As an adjective, it is crucial in science, journalism, and law, where it describes a commitment to facts and evidence over personal bias. As a noun, it is synonymous with "goal" or "aim," often used in business and military strategy.
Maintaining an objective perspective is essential for critical thinking. It allows individuals to evaluate information based on its merits rather than their own preconceptions.
Example Sentences
- "The journalist tried to provide an objective account of the events."
- "Our primary objective is to finish the project on time."
- "The scientist relied on objective data to support her hypothesis."