Objectivity is the state of being "uninfluenced by emotion, surmise, or personal prejudice" (American Heritage Dictionary). On the other side of the coin, subjectivity is the state of being "influenced by emotion, surmise, or personal prejudice."

Should a person decide a matter objectively or subjectively? "But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good" (1Thessalonians 5:21, NASB). The Bereans "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). In logic, to accept only those conclusions which are warranted by adequate evidence is called the "law of rationality."

Even a person who knows God's truth may still have his "blind spots." In driving a car, you may basically be able to see the traffic around you, but still have a blind spot not shown in the mirror. This inability to see that other car has caused many accidents-sometimes fatal.

Spiritually speaking, we should exert the greatest of care with blind spots. Sometimes we have blind spots because of our respect for some person or our regard for some cherished idea. Neither persuasive personalities nor preconceived ideas should determine the truth. We need to maintain objectivity and not be blinded by either charisma or prejudices. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth" (John 17:17).

As an adjunct professor of logic at Georgia Perimeter College, I taught my students about being rational (proper reasoning). Blind spots amount to evasions of the law of rationality. Such evasions (irrationalism) may contain one or more of the following:

1. Appeal to authority - (Ipse dixit - "he says so"). A statement is true just because someone said so.
2. Appeal to emotions - A statement is true because of one's feelings. Some use "emotive" language to color the case and to distract.
3. Appeal to a person of prominence - A statement is true because a prominent person said so.
4. Appeal to ignorance - (Ad ignorantium - "to ignorance"). A statement is true since you don't know how to disprove it.
5. Begging the question - (Petitio precipii - "petition of the beginning"). "Circular reasoning." Assumes in a premise of the argument that which you wish to prove.
6. Diverting the issue - "Red herring". One statement is true because another statement (which is irrelevant) is true.
7. Special pleading - "Having it both ways." Bring in only favorable data and ignore unfavorable data.
8. Personal attacks - (Ad hominem - "to the man"). Character assassination; "poisoning the well." A statement is false because a certain person said it, and he is a bad person. (Even bad people sometimes tell the truth).
9. Assuming the cause - (Post hoc - "after this"). A person supposes that because something followed something else, it is caused by it.
10. Faulty generalization - "Jumping to conclusions." Drawing a general conclusion on the basis of insufficient experience with particulars. Statement uses "All", "No", "None..."
11. Faulty analogy - Things that resemble each other in some respects will resemble each other in some further respects.
12. False dilemma - Someone represents a situation as having only certain alternatives when there is as least one more option.
13. Ambiguous terms - Statements are vague instead of precise.
14. Impressing by large numbers - Such expressions as: "get on the band wagon;" "everybody knows this;" "everybody does this."
15. Popular passions - (Ad populum - "to the people"). Stirring up group prejudices; exploiting fear, greed, snobbery, etc.
16. Apriorism - (A priori - "in advance"). Closing one's eyes to evidence alleged against someone or something one believes in; reasoning in advance of the facts.

These are some of the ways people reason improperly. In an age of televangelism, commercials, news journalism, political rhetoric, editorials, high-pressure selling, sensational claims, and word juggling, everyone needs to recognize such fallacies of unsound reasoning.

Recognize any possible blind spots, and do not be caught off guard. With an open mind of objectivity, seek the truth. "And you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32).

(Published in Firm Foundation, February 2004)