- Definition and meaning
- Objective in the personal field
- Target in the military field
- Objective in the business field
- Objective in the educational field
- Other uses
- References
Objective is a word of Latin origin that has several uses and meanings, the most commonly used being the one associated with a goal, an end or a purpose to be achieved. It can also be understood as a place or position that you want to reach and towards which actions are directed.
Generally, the objective is set before starting any task or activity. Its layout is usually the first step in any project, after which tactics and strategies are designed to achieve it.
Objective can refer to the lens of optical or photographic instruments. Source: pixabay.com
Also, frequently, it refers to the term objectivity or to the systems of lenses and photography instruments. It is a concept used in different fields such as personal, educational, military or business.
Definition and meaning
The word objective derives from “object” and is formed by the prefix “ob-”, which means “opposite” or “against”, the verb “iacere”, understood as “launch” or “throw”, and the suffix “- tive ”, which indicates a passive or active relationship.
Its most used definition is the one that refers to a goal, a purpose or an end to be achieved. In turn, it can also refer to a place, space or position that you want to reach or where you want to perform certain actions.
Another definition of this word is related to the concept of objectivity. In it, an allusion is made to something that is fair, impartial or neutral, or that refers to the facts themselves, regardless of one's own way of thinking or feeling.
This meaning is opposed to the idea of "subjective", which implies precisely the opposite, when something is based on the feelings, opinions and sensations of the person himself.
On the other hand, objective can also refer to the lens or the lens system of optical or photographic instruments, the area of attack in a military operation and the target on which a shot is fired.
Objective in the personal field
In the personal field, it refers to the goals, purposes or intentions that the individual sets himself for his own life.
Your establishment helps to clarify what you really want and allows you to take the necessary steps to achieve it. In addition, it serves as motivation to take action and start the relevant tasks.
Goal setting can be applied to all aspects of a person's life. This includes family affairs and personal relationships, fitness and health care, job development and career plans, financial situation, hobbies and free time, and spiritual issues, among others.
Target in the military field
Target can refer to those people, goods or areas that may be the target of a military attack. Source: pixabay.com
In the military field, objective refers to those people, goods or geographical areas that may be the target of an attack in the context of a warlike dispute.
This conception distinguishes between military and non-military objectives, including in the second group the civilian population and their assets, which should not be reached during the conflict.
The Geneva Conventions, a series of universal treaties that regulate international humanitarian law, in its Additional Protocol defines the military objective as those points that by their nature, location, purpose or use, contribute to the effectiveness of military action and whose destruction, capture or total or partial neutralization offers an advantage in the contest.
On the contrary, the act emphasizes that civilian objects will not be the object of attacks or reprisals.
Among these, those that are essential for the life of the population, such as food, agricultural areas, livestock, and drinking water reserves, are especially protected. Also those containing dangerous forces, such as nuclear power plants, dikes and dams, as well as cultural property.
Objective in the business field
In the business field, objective refers to a business goal that you want to achieve and towards which the company's operations are directed. The end is usually the search for efficiency.
These aim to achieve certain numerical figures, related for example to number of customers, degrees of production, satisfaction or sales rates, quality standards or financial results.
The objectives mark the way forward and are based on the strategic plan, the mission and the values of the company. They can be established at the organizational level, by area or direction, or be personal for each employee.
In the latter case, for example, they are used to make performance evaluations and set criteria for promotions or awards based on the results obtained.
In general, business objectives are determined by quarterly, semi-annual or annual periods.
Objective in the educational field
In the educational field, the objectives are goals of behaviors and degrees of knowledge expected in the student, based on a schedule and learning activities arranged by the teacher.
Its formulation is one of the essential tasks in the design of teaching work, since they constitute a fundamental methodological guide for the effective development of the teaching process.
The objectives can be general for the entire course or specific for each unit or subject.
They must be conceived in terms of observable behaviors and knowledge that can be evaluated.
Other uses
Target is also the target on which a firearm, an arrow or a dart is fired. Source: pixabay.com
As we already mentioned, another meaning of the word objective is related to the concept of objectivity and refers to that which is not impregnated with personal or external considerations.
In this case, the judgment refers only to what is observed and the specific fact or situation, leaving aside feelings, opinions and particular points of view.
On the other hand, in the photographic field, the objective is the part of the camera that contains the set of convergent and divergent lenses that direct the light rays towards the sensor. With it you adjust the focal length, known as zoom, and the focus.
Meanwhile, within optical engineering, the element that concentrates the light from the observed object is designated and focuses it to produce a real image. It is used for example in microscopes and telescopes.
Lastly, target is also the target at which a firearm, an arrow or a dart is fired during target practice.
References
- International Committee of the Red Cross (1977). Additional Protocol I to the 1949 Geneva Conventions, relative to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts. Geneva, Switzerland.
- Salcedo Galvis, Hernando (2011). The objectives and their importance for the teaching-learning process. Journal of Pedagogy, vol. XXXII, no. 91. Caracas, Venezuela.
- Stroebel, Leslie; Zakia, Richard D. (1993). The Focal Encyclopedia of photography.
- Dictionary of the Royal Spanish Academy (RAE). Available at: rae.es
- Etymological dictionary. Available at: etimologias.dechile.net