Objectivity, rationality and landscape quality assessment : this dissertation has been completed in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Diploma of Landscape Architecture, Lincoln College

Abstract

This dissertation explores the concept of objectivity. Many people have total confidence in scientific findings, based on the misconception that science is totally objective. This misconception raises the question of whether we, as human beings, are justified in tending to only have confidence in things perceived of as objective. Are we naturally capable of producing objective results? In other words; how rational are we? Different landscape quality assessment methods have different levels of objectivity. Methods can be roughly divided into two groups, those with an objective approach and those with a subjective approach, each of which has its own value.