This text is an introduction to my new book See things in a new light, published by Like publisher in Finnish.

Intro

In the autumn of 2023, Russia launched the so-called instrumental entry and almost a thousand asylum seekers entered Finland across the eastern border. To solve the problem, the Finnish government decided to close all border crossings on the eastern border for a fixed period from 30 November 2023. On 4 February 2024, the government decided that the border closure would be in effect until further notice as long as it was deemed necessary. The problem itself and the government’s decision can be viewed from two different points of view. The government emphasized the security point of view: the decision protects Finland’s national security from a Russian hybrid operation. Legal experts such as Professor Martti Koskenniemi, in turn, emphasized the human rights: people must have a real opportunity to apply for international protection. This is required, among other things, by international human rights treaties and EU law. In the closure decision, the government considered the security point of view to be more important than the human rights point of view.

The closure of the eastern border is a timely example of points of view and their political significance. There are many similar examples, and it can be said that points of view permeate the entire public debate. Increasing social polarization has further exacerbated differences in points of view. The concept of a point of view is therefore absolutely central to our attempt to understand our pluralistic society. However, politics is only one area in which points of view have an impact. Points of view are always present in people’s thinking and actions.

Points of view are constantly talked about, but this does not guarantee that we understand what points of view are about. The book has two goals. The first goal is to explain what points of view are and how they function and affect our thinking and actions. This also helps us to better understand ourselves, each other and the world in which we live. The second goal is to provide concrete instructions and tools that will enable us to identify, analyze and compare points of view and to search for new points of view that are needed in a constantly changing world. This goal is particularly served by the exercises at the end of the book, which help the reader develop their sensitivity to points of view and ability to look at things and situations from different points of view.

The book’s thinking model is based on a theoretical framework, which I call viewpoint theory here. I personally see viewpoint theory as a multidisciplinary field of research, based primarily on philosophy and cognitive science. Viewpoint theory is only just taking shape and building blocks for it can be found in many directions, as is evident from the various chapters of the book.

Although viewpoint theory is the starting point of this book, the main emphasis is not on philosophical reflections, as the work focuses on opening up and applying the concept of point of view. My intention is to highlight the practical significance of the concept of points of view. I consider this book is an example of “applied philosophy”, which refers to the application of philosophical ideas to everyday life and cultural discussion. The book contains numerous examples of points of view, and through them the ideas and concepts of viewpoint theory are revealed. The basic concepts used are defined separately in the glossary at the end of the book.

The starting point of the viewpoint concept is the complexity of things and phenomena: things always have many aspects. In a point of view, a phenomenon is viewed from a certain side, feature or aspect. For example, we can look at education from the point of view of democracy or the economy. From the point of view of democracy, education promotes equality, prepares people for active citizenship and creates the foundation for civilization. From the point of view of the economy, the task of education is to create capabilities for working life. Economic life needs a wide range of experts, which the education system produces.

The basic philosophical claim of viewpoint theory is that there is no absolute, viewpoint independent way of looking at the world. Our knowledge of the world is filtered and interpreted by points of view. We always view the world from our own point of view. This is based on human neural processes and cannot be eliminated. We can never separate ourselves from points of view. However, this does not mean that points of view cannot be weighed, developed or even exchanged. Learning, communication and action change our points of view.

We live in a multi-viewpoint world. It is a richness, but it can only be realized if one is aware of her own point of view. Such viewpoint awareness helps us to meet people who view the world from a different point of view. A multi-viewpoint world may be confusing, but it is better than one in which only one point of view is allowed. Accepting multiplicity of viewpoint is a sign of a person’s “coming of age”, the ability to think independently.

Differences in points of view are very common, whether it is a question of almost anything. Different approaches to global warming are a current example. Some see it as the most pressing problem of our time, while others deny the entire phenomenon. When talking about food, differences can be seen, for example, in whether food is viewed in terms of healthiness or price. The same applies to clothing: whether people choose their clothes for comfort, style or durability. Differences in point of view are influenced by the fact that our experiences are different, we remember different things, our background knowledge is different, we live in different environments and we may have different values ​​and interests. Our visual perception is already selective. Depending on our point of view, we can have a very different picture of the world. Sometimes we have to ask whether we even live in the same world.

Points of view also play a major role in relationships between people. Many communication difficulties result from the fact that we look at things in very different ways. This easily leads to disputes, which would be resolved if we were aware that everyone sees things from their own point of view. Sensitivity to other people’s points of view gives us a good starting point for understanding each other and deepening interaction.

Pluralism is part of liberal democracy, but pluralism also has problems, as the increased confrontation and polarization in recent years show. That is why I emphasize critical pluralism, which accepts pluralism but calls for a critical approach to all points of view, analyzing their backgrounds and weighing the choices made in them.

Even though we live in a multi-viewpoint, pluralistic world, there are also factors that create unity. Despite the fact that we each have different experiences of the world, our experiences have a considerable amount in common, otherwise life would not be possible. We also have a common, shared language, with which we are able to communicate relatively well with each other, regardless of our differences. Language opens the door to dialogue, through which we learn to understand each other’s points of view and look for unifying factors. Empathy plays an important role here. It is possible to build community and unity even in a multiviewpoint world. In a pluralistic society, there is always a risk of people becoming isolated and closed off into their own closed worlds. That is why dialogue is such an important means of strengthening community.

Changing points of view is one of the most important abilities that viewpoint theory trains us for. We are used to seeing things in a certain way. But we must learn to see things from new points of view, in a new light. Changing points of view can be practiced. We can try out what a familiar thing looks like when we start looking at it in a new way. We can put ourselves in the shoes of another person and consider why they see things differently than we do.

Finding new points of view is absolutely essential in innovation and creative problem solving. New points of view are essential to succeed in constantly changing circumstances. Being stuck in existing points of view prevents us from understanding changes and seizing new opportunities. Innovations arise when we begin to look at the problem to be solved from a new, surprising point of view. In art, new points of view also lead to the development of new means of expression, a good example of which is the emergence of abstract art at the beginning of the 20th century. Finding a new point of view requires creativity, imagination, courage and open-mindedness.

Viewpoint theory helps us understand and resolve disagreements arising from points of view. According to viewpoint theory, disagreements are not about the other party being wrong, but about the fact that each party can be right from their own point of view. Disagreements cannot be resolved unless we know from which points of view the different parties view things. The viewpoint-analysis presented in the book is just the analysis and critical comparison of different points of view.

It is worth emphasizing that truth does not lose its significance in viewpoint theory. Truth is agreement with the world that opens up from a point of view. This agreement is not a matter of opinion or faith. Truth is truth, even if it is related to points of view. In recent years, much has been said about the post-truth era, which is characterized by the obscuring of truth, the denial of facts, and the dissemination of false information. Facts must be held to because they provide a reliable basis for science and decision-making.

From a philosophical point of view, viewpoint theory is epistemological perspectivism, according to which the world can only be known through different points of view. Perspectivism differs significantly from the other two central trends in epistemology, namely realism and relativism. According to realism, it is possible to gain knowledge about reality as it is in itself. According to viewpoint theory, there is no neutral, viewpoint-free way to approach reality. Realism is often presented as the view that there is only one correct way to describe how things are. According to viewpoint theory, however, the world can be approached from many viewpoints and there are always several correct and even mutually contradictory ways to describe the world.

Viewpoint theory also rejects extreme relativism, according to which all viewpoints are equal. Viewpoint theory emphasizes multi-perspectivity and emphasizes the critical comparison and ranking of viewpoints based on various criteria. These criteria are most often related to our interests and goals: we look for points of view that will best help us achieve our goals. For example, if we want to build a sustainable bridge, it is better to do the calculations from a physics point of view rather than an aesthetics point of view. Points of view matter!