For as long as I can remember, I have been working to turn subjectivity into objectivity; with very limited success. I have had no success turning lead into gold either; though I understand it is possible. I have however, turned ketchup into marinara. Dictionary.com gives a definition of alchemy as "any magical power or process of transmuting a common substance, usually of little value, into a substance of great value." I would like to examine the latter two alchemies to determine if these successful processes may aid me in my quest for objectivity.

First, An Examination of Values:

In the early and middle years of my search for unequivocal objectivity, I placed a below-market value on subjectivity. But in my travels I have come to realize that the trailhead for any search for Truth is subjectivity. From there the path has to wind through varying degrees and gradations of both subjectivity and objectivity to move toward Truth. I have found some shortcuts, (such as rational skepticism), but I now believe there is no bypass around subjectivity. Consequently, I have more fully recognized the market value of subjectivity. And, though I have always insisted that an ultimate Truth is unattainable, I have also stressed the importance of diligently seeking Truth believing the search will move me closer, and the proximity will result in progress; and for me, this proximity to Truth as pursued through rational thought remains highly-prized. So to find a definitive process that would consistently transmute subjectivity to objectivity (for me) is alchemy. I also maintain my description of the other processes as alchemy, because I do value gold over lead and a properly-made marinara over (even my homemade) ketchup.

An Examination of Lead to Gold:

I have read that it is possible to extract gold from lead, and scientists have successfully changed bismuth to gold, but the process to do so will apparently always cost considerably more than the value created in the minute amount of gold produced. Could the same be true of my efforts to transform subjectivity into objectivity? Or, if my efforts cost far more than my tangible results, are there intangibles that will lessen, or possibly eclipse that value gap?

An Examination of Ketchup to Marinara:

One evening this past week I texted my daughter, (she was at work and I was going to bed), to let her know that the grilled chicken, spaghetti squash and marinara sauce were in the refrigerator. The next morning she asked me what I did differently with my marinara sauce. I told her, "nothing. I made it the same as I always do." She said it was bad, so I pulled the bowl off the bottom shelf, from behind the beer, to check it out as she was pulling a jar of my homemade ketchup off the top shelf to show me it was different. For approximately 8 hours my ketchup led a double life as marinara. It was late, she was tired, the ketchup was front and center on the top shelf, with a tomato base, and I had unknowingly practiced the ancient art of alchemy, magically turning ketchup into marinara.

She believed, and it was.

...For 8 hours.

What if I had never told her? Would she have lived her whole Life believing a delusion? Or would she have dug deeper to find the Truth? And what if someone presented her with this new Truth 50 years from now, (shortly after I had passed on), trying to convince her that marinara was actually ketchup? Would she believe them? Or would she continue to believe the Truth she had known for a majority of her Life? And how does this all apply to my attempts to turn subjectivity into objectivity?

Lastly, An Examination of Subjectivity to Objectivity:

Subjectivity is a common substance; much more common than objectivity. And because of its prevalence, subjectivity is typically considered to be of a lesser value than objectivity, which is why I frequently convince myself that my outlook is based more on facts and certainty than on opinions and uncertainty; even when it is not---(which I believe to be the case more often than not).

Since I am unable to efficiently extract objectivity from subjectivity, I believe I must embrace and work to understand subjectivity in order to more readily recognize it as it runs alongside my objectivity; this will not only raise the value of subjectivity but it will also aid in my learning and progress, bringing me closer to Truth. Additionally I believe there is added value to a rational partnership as opposed to an adversarial estrangement based on a perceived difference in values. This week, in a meeting, I found myself saying the words, "Your subjectivity is not a negative, and your efforts to turn it into objectivity will devalue this process!" Wow! From my mouth? Yes. In some circumstance I now find subjectivity to be equally as valuable, or even more valuable, than objectivity.

But this (immediately above) is an argument for valuing subjectivity, and not necessarily an argument for working to find objectivity through subjectivity. It is important to recognize each for what it is, and to understand that (theoretically) they are inseparable. There may come a point where one believes they have found a Truth, and they may very well be correct, but I believe, (as do many others), that rationality requires some degree of uncertainty to ensure continued skeptical examination and further questioning. Certainty kills effort. Uncertainty is the critical intangible, as a byproduct of subjectivity, that perpetuates effort. Therefore I must believe that subjectivity and objectivity, to some degree, are always inseparable; and I must always start again at the trailhead---subjectivity---to gain ground on Truth and to make tangible progress.

To believe subjectivity is (or can be) unequivocal objectivity is delusional. To believe in certainty is delusional. To believe something simply because you have always believed it is delusional. I cannot magically turn subjectivity into objectivity. But I can reason through subjectivity in order to balance it with objectivity. I believe in most instances I should work to see that this balance favors a rational objectivity, but in order to determine this with a lesser degree of uncertainty, I must stay well-acquainted with subjectivity.

Just because something is front and center, on the top shelf, with a tomato base, does not make it marinara.