Good Doubt, Bad Doubt

Lots of people (including myself) like to poke fun at certainty, because we have all met someone who acts like they have it all figured out. The assumed opposite of certainty is doubt (which is growing in popularity).

I think however that we should take time to distinguish between good (and healthy)doubt and bad (unhealthy/unnecessary)doubt, or what I would call objective doubt and subjective doubt. My certainty/doubt are defined by my approach to the Other as objective or subjective. 

Objective Doubt/Certainty

When someone says that you cannot be 100% certain of anything they most likely reference objective doubt. (example. I cannot be completely certain about the nature human origins and evolution). I would agree to a large extent with that conclusion. With that said, I also think that the constant bashing of objective certainty amounts to little more than a waste of time, as does the constant acknowledgment of objective doubt. 

There is a false sense of humility that comes by boasting about our limitations, and a complete loss of productivity. There is little need to brag about our on self awareness, our small place in the universe, or our inability to grasp universal truth.  Sure, it makes us look like nice people, but Im not sure that it accomplishes much.

Objective certainty is characterized by faith in one's own belief system. 

Objective doubt is generally characterized by a lack of faith in God's orchestration or presentation. 

Subjective Doubt

Subjective doubt is countered by what we commonly call faith or faithfulness. Subjectivity by definition includes mystery because it contains the infinite. As a result, unknowing and doubt are natural parts of engaging any other subjective being. In a sense faith in or faithfulness to another can be understood as subjective certainty (and I might suggest Biblical certainty). I have faith and faithfulness toward God because of the steadfastness I have experienced through participation in his subjectivity. 

The subjective doubt I experience is self doubt in my capability to fully understand the infinite. It is not a doubt in God, because if I enter into his subjectivity I understand his nature to be consistent. 

Subjective doubt is characterized by a lack of faith in myself, and acknowledgement of my own broken human condition. 

Subjective certainty is characterized by faithfulness to the being of God.