self-reflexively

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Could anyone help me with the clause in bold? Thank you very much.

To be an impartial reporter means being socialized into obeying certain rituals of naming, describing, and framing realities, even if 'objectivity' is self-reflexively posited as an ideal never to be entirely realized in practice.

 

[RonBee]

I have an answer for your question.

<< even if 'objectivity' is self-reflexively posited as an ideal never to be entirely realized in practice. >>
The plain sense seems to be:

*objectivity*: being impartial

*self-reflectively posited*: assumed or asserted by the reporter himself or herself

*an ideal never to be entirely realized in practice*: a standard of perfection that one seeks but that one knows cannot be reached

That is to say, in a first-effort paraphrase: Reporters must try to be impartial, even if they believe that complete impartiality is not possible.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/dictionary/messages?msg=14663.5

 

[Tdol]

It's a grim sentence. Celia, you are reading some books written in a style that I don't like much- they seem to be difficult and obscure for the sake of it, rather than for a reason. I admire your courage. ;-)

 

[RonBee]

That "self-reflexively posited" was especially puzzling to me. It seems like such an odd phrase.

 

[Tdol]

I presume it means after considering one's own limitations.

 

[RonBee]

If it means that they should say that. The expression "self-reflexively posited" strikes me as rather narcissistic.