1.9.1 Subjectiveness

Title: Embracing Subjectivity to Develop an Effective Problem-Solving Strategy Against Epistemic Injustice, Gaslighting, Trolling, and Unequal Justice

When tackling complex issues like epistemic injustice, gaslighting, trolling, and unequal justice, an objective approach often dominates the conversation. However, prioritizing subjectivity—the unique experiences, perspectives, and feelings of those involved—can be transformative. When we integrate subjectivity into problem-solving, we create a strategy that respects and addresses the nuances of individual experiences, uncovering insights that might be missed by purely objective approaches.

This post will guide you on how to prioritize subjectivity, setting a people-centered focus to better define and solve these challenging issues.

1. Why Subjectivity Matters in Addressing Social Issues

Objective data and facts are important, but they don’t capture the full impact of issues like epistemic injustice and gaslighting. These problems are deeply personal and emotional, affecting individuals on levels that numbers or generalized statements cannot capture.

Subjective experiences reveal the hidden layers of these issues:

Epistemic injustice: People’s voices and knowledge are often disregarded due to biases around race, gender, or socioeconomic background. Valuing subjective experiences validates those voices.

Gaslighting: Often, the impact is emotional and psychological, making it crucial to understand personal experiences to recognize manipulation patterns.

Trolling: Trolling is often dismissed as a mere nuisance, but it affects individuals differently. Some may experience it as a minor annoyance, while others feel profoundly impacted, especially when it’s persistent and targeted.

Unequal justice: Objective data shows disparities, but the subjective experiences of individuals who face the justice system provide insight into its flaws.

By centering subjective experiences, we give space to voices that highlight the real, lived impact of these issues, informing a strategy that’s not only effective but also empathetic.

2. Setting a Subjective Approach: Listening and Validating Lived Experiences

Building a problem-solving strategy begins with listening to and validating individual experiences. Here’s how to incorporate subjectivity into your approach:

Create safe spaces for open dialogue: Set up platforms—whether in person or online—where people feel safe sharing their experiences without judgment or dismissal. When tackling injustices, victims need the freedom to express their feelings and perspectives.

Use reflective listening: Reflective listening involves truly hearing and acknowledging the other person’s words and emotions. Rephrase what they’ve said to ensure clarity and to show that you understand. This step is crucial, especially when dealing with sensitive issues like gaslighting or trolling.

Acknowledge diverse reactions: Understand that everyone’s experiences and responses to injustice, gaslighting, or trolling will be different. Resist the urge to generalize; instead, validate each person’s unique emotional response.

In prioritizing a subjective approach, we create a foundation built on understanding and empathy. This foundation is essential for problem-solving strategies that resonate with those most affected by these issues.

3. Redefine the Problem with a Subjective Lens

After gathering personal accounts and experiences, redefine the problem based on these subjective perspectives. This process involves challenging the generalizations and assumptions that often limit our understanding.

Identify underlying emotional impacts: Define the problem by acknowledging emotional dimensions. For instance, gaslighting isn’t just manipulation; it’s a tactic that erodes self-trust. Unequal justice isn’t only about statistics; it’s about the emotional toll on communities who feel unseen and unheard.

Challenge traditional narratives: Question existing narratives about issues like trolling or injustice. What have the subjective experiences revealed that contradicts mainstream assumptions?

Center marginalized perspectives: Pay particular attention to voices that are often overlooked in objective definitions. This is especially relevant to epistemic injustice, where certain groups’ experiences and knowledge are frequently dismissed.

When you redefine the problem with these considerations, you gain a deeper, more accurate view of what needs to change, laying the groundwork for a strategy that addresses root causes rather than just symptoms.

4. Design Subjective-Focused Solutions

Solutions driven by subjectivity are not one-size-fits-all. Instead, they’re tailored to the lived experiences of those impacted. Here’s how to create solutions that resonate on a personal level:

Offer personalized support: For individuals affected by gaslighting or trolling, one-on-one counseling or support groups may be more effective than generic advice. Personalized support allows people to feel seen and validated, making recovery and resilience-building more meaningful.

Empower affected voices: In issues of epistemic injustice, work to bring marginalized voices to the forefront. This could mean giving them a platform in decision-making spaces or advocating for reforms that validate their experiences and insights.

Implement adaptive interventions: Recognize that solutions may need to be flexible. For example, strategies to address trolling should adapt to the context—whether it’s public figures who face trolls daily or individuals who encounter occasional harassment. Tailor interventions to fit the specific impact on each person or group.

Subjective-focused solutions acknowledge that each person’s journey through these issues is unique, leading to solutions that are more effective and genuinely supportive.

5. Evaluate Progress Through Subjective Feedback

Traditional metrics often fail to capture subjective outcomes, so evaluate progress based on personal feedback from those affected. Here’s how to keep subjectivity at the core of your evaluation:

Use qualitative feedback: Go beyond numbers. Ask people about their experiences with the solutions you’ve implemented. How has the solution affected their sense of justice, peace, or personal empowerment?

Monitor emotional and psychological impact: Rather than only tracking external changes, assess internal shifts. Have individuals felt more validated or empowered since the strategy was applied? Do they feel safer or more respected?

Encourage open-ended feedback: Instead of sticking to rigid survey questions, allow people to share their thoughts freely. Open-ended feedback can reveal unexpected insights and areas for improvement, making future solutions even more aligned with individuals’ needs.

By prioritizing subjective feedback, you ensure that your strategy continues to evolve in ways that serve real people, not just abstract ideals.

6. Integrate Subjective Perspectives into Long-Term Goals

Finally, make subjectivity an integral part of your long-term strategy by continuing to amplify the voices and perspectives of those affected.

Set up ongoing platforms for dialogue: Create permanent forums or feedback channels where people can share their experiences over time. This ensures that you’re consistently informed by real, evolving perspectives.

Adapt policies based on subjective needs: Whether in organizations, social communities, or advocacy work, policies should evolve based on individuals’ feedback. Periodically review and revise policies to ensure they remain relevant and responsive.

Commit to continued learning: Recognize that the subjective landscape will change over time. Stay committed to learning from the people you aim to support, adjusting your approach as their needs and perspectives shift.

A strategy grounded in subjectivity isn’t static; it grows and changes with the individuals and communities it serves, making it far more resilient and impactful.

Conclusion

When we prioritize subjectivity in defining a problem-solving strategy, we make the individuals and their unique experiences central to the process. This approach builds solutions that are empathetic, relevant, and genuinely transformative. In tackling issues like epistemic injustice, gaslighting, trolling, and unequal justice, a subjective focus allows us to move beyond surface-level solutions and engage in real, meaningful change.