Terms for 'viewpoint': 視点 vs 観点


I'm not understanding the subtleties of [視点]{してん} vs 観点{かんてん}.

I know that they both mean something like "point of view", and given the
existence of two of them, one of them probably implies more consideration than
the other, but I'm not sure which one is which.




I will add my two cents, based on the two top answers in [this
教えて！](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html). Thanks to silvermaple for the
encouragement.

It appears that one's 視点 is a direct point of view (visual _or_ conceptual, as
sawa noted) on a phenomenon. One's 観点, on the other hand, is comprised of
underlying assumptions, ways of thinking, and experience considering
_multiple_ viewpoints.

For example, [the first answer](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html#a6)
explains that changing one's 視点 might involve **changing the angle or
perspective** from which one views or thinks about the phenomenon. Changing
one's 観点, on the other hand, should involve a **change in the underlying
assumptions or way of thinking** about an issue or object.

[The second answer](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html#a6) offers a
simpler, yet easier to remember, explanation. It draws attention to the
composition of 観 and 視. While 視 is a combination of 示 (show) and 見 (see), 観
comes from 鸛{こうのとり} (stork) and 見. 視 therefore suggests gazing a particular
direction from a particular standpoint, while the stork in 観 opens her eyes
and looks around, examining her environment from multiple angles.

Perhaps 観点 could be described as meta-視点.




I will add my two cents, based on the two top answers in [this
教えて！](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html). Thanks to silvermaple for the
encouragement.

It appears that one's 視点 is a direct point of view (visual _or_ conceptual, as
sawa noted) on a phenomenon. One's 観点, on the other hand, is comprised of
underlying assumptions, ways of thinking, and experience considering
_multiple_ viewpoints.

For example, [the first answer](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html#a6)
explains that changing one's 視点 might involve **changing the angle or
perspective** from which one views or thinks about the phenomenon. Changing
one's 観点, on the other hand, should involve a **change in the underlying
assumptions or way of thinking** about an issue or object.

[The second answer](http://oshiete.goo.ne.jp/qa/539605.html#a6) offers a
simpler, yet easier to remember, explanation. It draws attention to the
composition of 観 and 視. While 視 is a combination of 示 (show) and 見 (see), 観
comes from 鸛{こうのとり} (stork) and 見. 視 therefore suggests gazing a particular
direction from a particular standpoint, while the stork in 観 opens her eyes
and looks around, examining her environment from multiple angles.

Perhaps 観点 could be described as meta-視点.

