Final answer:
Fairness is about equitable treatment and balance, often subjective and influenced by societal norms, while objectivity refers to the impartial and unbiased evaluation of facts, striving for neutrality despite the difficulty of achieving complete detachment from inherent biases.
Step-by-step explanation:
Difference Between Fairness and Objectivity
The concepts of fairness and objectivity are often used in discussions about ethics, justice, and societal norms. Fairness typically relates to the equitable treatment and judgment of individuals, ensuring that no one is shown favoritism or bias.
It involves a sense of justice and balance in interactions between people, and implies a subjective element as what is considered fair can vary depending on cultural norms and personal beliefs.
Objectivity, on the other hand, refers to the ability to view matters without being influenced by personal feelings, interpretations, or prejudice. It is about being fact-based and neutral.
It's the process of removing oneself from the subject at hand to make impartial decisions or perform neutral analysis. This stance brings credibility or ethos to information, as it is expected to be unbiased.
However, complete objectivity is challenging since human researchers, writers, and thinkers often have inherent biases. Sociologists and philosophers strive for objectivity by using strategies to minimize personal biases and prioritize factual evidence over personal or cultural viewpoints when assessing situations or claims.
For example, the difference between justice and fairness becomes evident when applying laws and determining punishments; an entirely objective system would treat every case the same, while fairness may require considering the varying circumstances of each individual case.
Similarly, in the context of markets, one might question how fair and effective they are at reaching equilibrium, recognizing that while market behaviors can be objectively observed, the outcomes do not always reflect what may be deemed fair by societal standards.