Pesrpective - Bias Is Inevitable

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An examination into the existence of thought began with the Socratic philosophers including Aristotle and Plato. It is a question that was delved into much deeper by great thinker such as Descartes, Heidegger, Husserl, and Gadmer. The questions of knowledge that will be focused on here include the acquisition of knowledge, and perspective and its ability to shape ones view of all that surrounds him. The following will examine several influences on the individual that create, shape, and form his perspective leading him to a singular knowledge base. The concepts of perspective and horizon will be expanded upon to lead to the conclusion that knowledge is solely an individual endeavor that exists differently in every human being past, present, or future. Bias is inevitable in every human interaction be it literary, artistic, experiential, or linguistic. The perspective of no two individuals will be the same leading to a different understanding of even the most basic principle. The following definitions from Webster’s unabridged dictionary will help to frame the argument:

Perspective: the state of one's ideas, the facts known to one, etc., in having a meaningful interrelationship.

Horizon: the limit or range of perception, knowledge, or the like.

Bias: a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.

Knowledge : (i) expertise, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject, (ii) what is known in a

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particular field or in total; facts and information or (iii) awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation

Socialization: a continuing process whereby an individual acquires a personal identity and learns the norms, values, behavior, and social skills appropriate to his or her social position.

These definitions will assist in proving that bias is inevitable in every human interaction leading to the conclusion that “pure communication” is impossible.

Socialization

The influences on the individual come from a number of places not the least of which is societal. In determining what a person is in society many factors are considered such as race, class, gender, ethnicity, education level, and career. All of these factors contribute in determining the individual’s perspective on life and on specific situations. In The Politics of Reality by Marilyn Frye the difference is outlined in experience by using the phrases “white” and “male” privilege. She defines these privileges as the benefits that are bestowed upon members of the white and male classes. These privileges are largely unknown to members of these specific groups but are recognized widely by those on the outside. The life paths of individuals according to Frye are largely affected by the inclusion or non-inclusion into these specific groups. Access to power and education is largely determined by ones classification in these groups (Frye).

In determining an individual’s perspective all of the above mentioned factors must be considered. It follows that a poor black factory worker has obviously had a

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different life experience than that of a rich white lawyer. How though does this affect perspective and can it boiled down so simply? No the experience of the individual is affected by these broad classifications but it is much more specific than that. It must be broke down on a situational level to determine an individual’s perspective. Two rich white lawyers, while fitting into a specific class benefiting from privilege according to Frye still do not have the same perspective. While both may be white, one may come from an Italian family and the other a German family. The differences in these upbringings can also drastically alter the perspective of the individual. Also perhaps they attended different universities, had friends from different socio-economic backgrounds, and have different sexual orientation. All of which dramatically alter the singular perspective. Frye is correct in pointing out the different experience had by members of different socio-economic and racial groups, but the difference in perspective as pertaining to these factors is much more specific.

While individuals coming from “wealthy white upbringings” may have a few similar benefits, their individual experience within the constructs of that life will be severely different. For example if two men of the same age, work for the same law firm, on the same case, live in the same neighborhood, have the same number, age, and sex children, with wives who also meet all of the previous criteria can we assume that they are even similar in perspective. No we cannot because so many other social factors and individual experience go into determining that perspective. Factors as small as their mother’s favorite song, or their fathers favorite sports team can affect how that individual will view specific circumstances. Socialization, which affects every opportunity and

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aspect of the individual’s life, is a completely individual experience. While there may be intense similarities between members of the same social class there perspectives will still be vastly different as a result of all the seemingly inconsequential and trivial attributes of their day-to-day lives.

The issue of class struggle and the divide between races and classes has been extensively researched and theorized about by many feminist writers such as Marilyn Frye, and others like bell hooks. Hooks describes the different experience had by poor black people and specifically the abuse that many poor black women endure at the hands of their husbands. Her reasoning follows that most of the poor black men work dehumanizing jobs where they are continually put down and disgraced at the hands of more successful and powerful white men. As a result of this abuse and their inability to react for fear of losing their jobs, they have a great deal of pent up rage that can only be exercised by abusing their wives (hooks). While hook’s doesn’t condone the behavior but rather tries to explain it, a question is raised for the purpose of this paper. If individuals within a specific socio-economic class who experience similar injustice react the