will you please explain what philosophers mean when they use "subject", "subjectivity", and "object" and "objectivity". I know its different from the truth vs. perception dichotamy, but I can NEVER understand how one is using this term. Specifically, Marx, Badiou adn Nancy. I'm new to philosophy, so sorry if this is super basic, but I can never wrap my head around it.
example from Marx:
"If Hegel had set out from real subjects of the state he would not have found it necessary to transform the state in a mystical fashion into a subject. "In its truth however," says Hegel,"subjectivity exists only as subject, personality only as person."

In response to Joseph:
Strictly speaking, 'subject' is a philosophical term that refers to that which thinks, senses, perceives, etc. 'Subjectivity' is the quality of being subjective (i.e. a subject). An 'object' is that which subjective experience is directed to. Consider the phrase: "I think about philosophy." In this phrase "I" is the subject and "philosophy" is the object of my thoughts). In a similar fashion, 'objectivity' is the quality of being objective (i.e. an object). There are other technical terms for subject and object in logic and metaphysics, but I do not think they're being used in that sense in the passage you quoted, so I excluded them.
In reply to Dr. Stone:
Elections by lot seem interesting, but they seem to pose some problems. Firstly, it should be noted that ancient Athens had some exceptions to elections by lot. For example, women and slaves were excluded from such elections. Given this, do you think there should be some exceptions to contemporary elections by lot? For example: should someone who is mentally handicapped be allowed to participate in such elections? What about someone who cannot speak the common language? Or a religious official? What do you think?

thanks a lot

I am hoping to purchase the whole collection of Philosophy Talks podcasts from 2004-2008. However, I realised this would take me an awfully long time to download! Would you please consider offering this collection on data CD-ROMs sent out in the mail for a small extra fee?
Thanks! :)
- William.

That may be a little extreme; there's no denying that there's something democratic about elections. But there's also something democratic about lotteries, and explaining how 2 such radically different procedures can both be democratic is an important and interesting question, IMHO.

That may be a little extreme; there's no denying that there's something democratic about elections. But there's also something democratic about lotteries, and explaining how 2 such radically different procedures can both be democratic is an important and interesting question, IMHO.

That may be a little extreme; there's no denying that there's something democratic about elections. But there's also something democratic about lotteries, and

That may be a little extreme; there's no denying that there's something democratic about elections. But there's also something democratic about lotteries, and .....

thank you admin.....

That may be a little extreme; there's no denying that there's something democratic about elections. But there's also something democratic about lotteries, and explaining how 2 such radically different procedures can both be democratic is an important and interesting question, IMHO.