Objectivity by Galison and Daston
Objectivity by Galison and Daston is an exceptional book, which discusses the development of objectivity in the mid-nineteenth-century sciences by use of images and drawings. It features the British Physicist Arthur Worthington, who unraveled the complex process of fluid flow into a visual classification. He managed to have the splashes in the form of photographs. However, with the need of having a real representation of the splashes, he informed his audience that the earlier images of the drops had to be discarded. This is because he wanted images that could portray the physical world with its complexity, in what he referred to as the "objective view." The Objective view as presented by Worthington led to an adverse change in the field of observational sciences. Scientists started questioning their pieces of work, which idealized representation in atlases and books. The book, therefore, highlights the creation of scientific objectivity, which motivated scientists to rewrite and re-image their work. This essay addresses the importance of the concept of "objectivity' in art, science and technology.
Importance of Objectivity in Art, Sciences, and Technology
Objectivity plays an essential role in art, sciences, and technology because it advocates for the presentation of real and not imaginary features. Galison and Daston use atlases to reveal scientific objectivity in that it helps in attaining and capturing the truth to nature. Scientists, therefore, learn that they do not have to depend on imaginary images but rather on physical ones that portray a representation of the world that we live. Worthington, for a long time, majored on images left on his retina by the flash, but to have a "real" representation he succeeded in having the droplet's splash in the form of a photograph[1]. Although photographs show irregularities as compared to drawings, Worthington informed his audience that he captured an "objective view" of the flash from the brighter lights and faster plates. He further acknowledged the fact that he could not attain a perfect representation of the images to ensure that the audience did not get restricted to the specific images. "I have to confess that in looking over my original drawings I find records of many irregular or unsymmetrical figures. Thus the mind of the observer is filled with an ideal splash- and auto-splash-whose perfection may never be realized."[2] The field of science is complex and calls on scientists to make discoveries and presentations based on objectivity to attain success. Scientific objectivity is key in ensuring that the audience is not misled by the information that is getting relayed. For instance, the fact that Worthington decided to have "objective view," made the changes that could have otherwise misguided the people. It is noteworthy that discoveries are made on annually or daily basis by scientists, who have to portray the discoveries through either drawings or photographs. As such, it is essential to present work that is objective in the sense that it adheres to truth-to-nature and provides a broader perspective.
Objectivity in Technology
The concept of objectivity is crucial to technology because it plays a role in representation and comprehension of images such as x-rays. In contemporary society, technology plays a vital role in many undertakings, such that it might be difficult to perform many activities without it. Galison and Daston used x-ray image presented by Rudolf Grashey, to depict objectivity in technology. In the X-ray, there were body elements that could not produce images on the x-ray. Further, there was a representation of elements, which did not correspond to known characteristics.[3] To understand the failure in the representation of some elements of the body, the diagnostician had to learn, through the study of the atlas, to obtain knowledge of the deviations. The atlas, therefore, played a role in preparing the observer for the variations of the image. Daston and Galison, therefore, refer to the concept of objectivity in technology as not only being objective but also having the knowledge of certain deviations that are likely to occur in scientific study. Therefore, "objectivity" not only based on that which is ethically and scientifically right but that which an individual can account for.
Objectivity in Art
Objectivity is vital to art because it shapes drawings as determined by nature and history. The work of arts keeps changing as the social experience change over the years. Therefore, artists have to adapt to the changes to ensure that the production does not only have an artistic style but some aspect of culture. The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction by Walter Benjamin addresses the changes in art, whereby the techniques applied in the past have been modernized in contemporary society. The changes in the twentieth century have seen the introduction of film and photography. According to Benjamin, the aura, which is the original painting, has been lost through the reproduction of art, to entail photographs.
Further, the perceptions have shifted with the introduction of distraction on the work of art. An example is the camera operator focusing on only what he wants to be seen by the audience and leaving all the other parts out signals the shift in perception. This, according to Walter, is quite different from what paint can do. For instance, a piece of art lets the audience to have an examination because they are not easily distracted, a film on the other hand, with the shift in scenes and photographs does not give the spectator a chance to contemplate, thus revealing the shock effect of cinema. [4]With the introduction of new art, where people can visit museums, gallery or cinema, a new way of interfering with perception and distraction is introduced. Therefore, to ensure that the work of art is useful in the mechanical reproduction, it does not have to be restricted by culture or the original copy but has to ensure that it does not shift the perception and originality by limiting what people can see. It is, therefore, crucial to be objective in the sense that one has to avoid the distraction of the audience by choosing what they can see in a particular artwork. Besides, any piece of art should not interfere with the spectators' contemplation, as a way of enhancing objectivity.
Conclusion
The changes experienced in the society, should not lead to subjectivity in art, science, and technology, which are some of the most applicable fields. This is because objectivity is crucial in ensuring that the audience has a broader perspective of the piece of work that is presented through drawings or photographs. Since its inception in the nineteenth century, changes have been experienced, and people should ensure that despite the shift towards keeping with the changes, for example in technology, objectivity should be fundamental, by paying attention to not only morality but also ethics and perception. As discussed through Objectivity by Daston and Galison, the focus should be on the realization of an unbiased piece of work in art, science, and technology.
Bibliography
Daston, Lorraine, and Peter Galison. "The Image of Objectivity." Representations
(1992): 81-108.
Dini, Rachele. Walter Benjamin's “The Work Of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Macat Library, 2018: 9-13.
Worthington, Arthur Mason. The Splash of a Drop. Vol. 27125. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1895: 7-93
[1]. Lorraine Daston & Galison Peter, “The Image of Objectivity.” Representations
40 (1992), pp. 81-128.
[2]. Arthur Mason Worthington, The Splash of a Drop. Vol. 27125. Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1895: 7-93.
[3]. Ibid., 106.
[4]. Rachele Dini, Walter Benjamin's “The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction.” Macat Library, 2018: 9-13.
