(Introduction)

The previous sections have introduced some classifications that need further study. The ones I would like to draw attention to are the following.

• Objectivity and Subjectivity
• Absolutism and Relativism
• Reflectivity, Constructivity, and Intentionalism

Objectivity and Subjectivity

Objective

• Pertaining to the object.
• Relating to whatever is exterior to the mind.
• Belonging to the case which follows a transitive verb or preposition.

Subjective

• Relating to the subject.
• Belonging to ourselves, the conscious subject.
• Exhibiting strongly the personality of the author.

The distinction between objective and subjective is fraught with dangers. A simple categorisation would say that science considers itself objective whereas cultural studies denies that access to any objective world is possible. These two disciplines appear to take these positions as starting definitons. Considering the arguments that might arise from this disagreement, it is perhaps best here to avoid the objective-subjective classification.

(Note: It is worth noting that the 'strange loops' used by Stewart and Cohen are based on Hofstadter definitions. In Hofstadter's 'strange loops' and 'tangled hierarchies', object and subject are inextricably mixed.)

"On this view, then, the historical raison d'etre of political power is to be found in the economy." (Foucault, 1980, p.89)

"What means are available to us today if we seek to conduct a non-economic analysis of power?" (Foucault, 1980, p.89)

"So, no sooner do we attempt to librate ourselves from economistic analyses of power, than two solid hypotheses offer themselves: the one argues that the mechanisms of power are those of repression. For convenience sake, I shall term this Reich's hypothesis. The other argues that the basis of the relationship of power lies in the hostile engagement of forces. Again for convenience, I shall call this Nietzche's hypothesis" Foucault (1980, p.81)

How then can we assess the SWH without looking at the OSC? Following Foucault's methodology, I would suggest that the alternative classifications offered below allow finer distinctions to be made. Further more, they may allow us to put the OSC into context.

Absolutism and Relativism

Absolutism:
In Ernest’s criticism of absolutism, he defines this view as being one in which "mathematical truth is absolutely valid and thus infallible, and that mathematics (with logic) is the one and perhaps the only realm of incorrigible, indubitable, and objective knowledge" (1998, p.9)

Relativism:
"[C]ultural relativism implies that we must accept even violence, and such patriarchal and exploitative institutions and customs as dowry, female genital mutilation, India’s caste system and so on, because they are the cultural expressions and creations of particular people. For cultural relativists, traditions... are always considered as particular and beyond criticism." (Mies & Shiva, 1993, p.11)

"Dissolutism"

Reflectivity, Constructivity, and Intentionalism

These approaches are based on three different classifications of representation. The following version of these classifications is taken from Hall (1997b, pp.24-26)

• The Reflective theory of representation is that language mirrors true meaning as it exists in the world.
• The Constructive theory of representation is that neither things in themselves nor the individual users of language can fix meaning in language. Instead meanings are contextual - it is the particular symbolic code that fixes a meaning at a particular time.
• The Intentional theory of representation is that words mean what the author intends them to mean.

These classifications are used in cultural studies to distinguish between, on the one hand, an absolutist position that language merely reflects nature and, on the other hand, an intentionalist view that language can mean whatever we what it to mean. The constructivist view is used to define what is meant by ‘relativism’ (O’Riodon, et al., 1994, p.169), and what is meant by subjectivity (Woodward, 1997b).

Agreement and Action

Broadly speaking three moderate positions can be proposed.

• 1. A scientific position, namely, that agreement must be between the speakers and the things that they speak about. In Stewart and Cohen's example, there must be agreement between the scientists and the objects that fall due to gravity.
• 2. A cultural position, that the objective world is not directly accessible and therefore agreement can only be between the speakers of a language. In this position, objects are only recognised as the physical carriers or embodiments of one or more meaning.
• 3. A cultural translation position, (an extension of the cultural position) that agreement can also exist between speakers of different languages.

Objectivity
Pertaining to the object; relating to whatever is exterior to the mind.The Penguin Dictionary of Sociology defines objectivity as "avoiding bias or prejudice".

A & R
These classifications are sometimes used inchangably with objective and subjective. This is perhaps where

• Absolutism & Relativism
• Reflective, Intentional, and Constructive Theories of Representation