Normative 381564 208562077 2008-04-27T17:32:27Z 24.6.237.89 /* Law */ {{wiktionary}} '''Normative''' has specialized meanings in several academic disciplines. Generically, it means ''relating to an ideal standard or model.'' In practice, it has strong connotations of relating to a ''typical'' standard or model (see also [[normality]]). == Philosophy == In [[philosophy]], ''normative'' statements affirm how things should or [[Is-ought problem|ought]] to be, how to [[Value theory|value]] them, which things are [[goodness and value theory|good]] or [[bad]], which [[Action (philosophy)|action]]s are [[right]] or [[wrong]]. Normative is usually contrasted with [[Positive science|positive]] (i.e. descriptive, [[explanation|explanatory]], or [[constative]]) when describing types of [[theory|theories]], [[belief]]s, or [[proposition]]s. Positive statements are [[falsifiability|falsifiable]] statements that attempt to describe [[reality]]. For example, "children should eat vegetables", "smoking is bad", and "those who would sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither" are normative claims. On the other hand, "vegetables contain a relatively high proportion of vitamins", "smoking causes cancer", and "a common consequence of sacrificing liberty for security is a loss of both" are positive claims. Whether or not a statement is normative is logically independent of whether it is verified, verifiable, or popularly held. It is only with [[David Hume]] in the 18th century that philosophers began to take cognizance of the logical difference between normative and descriptive statements and thinking. There are several schools of thought regarding the status of normative statements and whether they can be [[reason|rationally]] discussed or defended. Among these schools are the tradition of [[practical reason]] extending from [[Aristotle]] through [[Kant]] to [[Jürgen Habermas|Habermas]], which asserts that they can, and the tradition of [[emotivism]], which maintains that they are merely expressions of emotions and have no rational content. <!--last sentence/statement: i.e., objectivity vs. subjectivity(?)--> Normative statements and [[norm (philosophy)|norms]], as well as their meanings, are an integral part of human life. They are fundamental for prioritizing goals and organizing and planning [[thought]], [[belief]], [[emotion]] and [[Action (philosophy)|action]] and are the basis of much ethical and political discourse. The way in which individuals or societies define that which they consider to be appropriate, that is to be in accordance with their (normative) standards, varies greatly between peoples and cultures. Many philosophers have searched for a source of normative values which is independent of the individual's subjective morality and consequently objective and 'true' in nature. == Standards == In [[Standardization|standard]]s terminology, "normative" means "considered to be a [[prescriptive]] part of the standard". It characterises that part of the standard which describes what ''ought'' (see [[normative#philosophy|philosophy]] above) to be done within the application of that standard. It is implicit that application of that standard will result in a ''valuable'' outcome (''ibid.''). For example, many standards have an introduction, preface, or summary that is considered non-normative, as well as a main body that is considered normative. "Compliance" is defined as "complies with the normative sections of the standard"; an object that complies with the normative sections but not the non-normative sections of a standard is still considered to be in compliance. == Social sciences and economics == See economics aspect in [[normative economics]]. Normative economics deals with questions of what sort of economic policies ''ought to'' (see [[normative#philosophy|philosophy]] above) be pursued, in order to achieve desired (that is, ''valued, ibid.'') economic outcomes. In [[social sciences]] the term "normative" is used to describe the effects of those structures of [[culture]] which regulate the [[social function|function]] of social activity. Those structures thus act to encourage or enforce social activity and outcomes that ''ought'' to (with respect to the norms implicit in those structures) occur, while discouraging or preventing social activity that ''ought not'' occur. That is, they promote social activity that is socially ''valued'' (see [[normative#philosophy|philosophy]] above). While there are always anomalies in social activity (typically described as "[[crime]]" or anti-social behaviour, see also [[normality]]) the normative effects of popularly-endorsed beliefs (such as "[[family values]]" or "[[common sense]]") push most social activity towards a generally homogenous set, resulting in varying degrees of social stability. Normative [[behavior]] is a term used in [[sociology]] to describe actions intended to normalize something, or make it acceptable. == Law == In [[law]], as an academic discipline, the term "normative" is used to describe the way something ought to be done according to a value position. As such, normative argument can be conflicting. For example, from one normative value position the purpose of the criminal process may be to repress crime. From another value position, the purpose of the criminal justice system could be to protect individuals from the moral harm of wrongful conviction. == See also == * [[Economics]] * [[Hypothesis]] * [[Norm (philosophy)]] * [[Normative economics]] * [[Normative ethics]] * [[Philosophy of law]] * [[Political science]] * [[Scientific method]] * [[Value theory|Value]] * [[Georges Canguilhem]] * [[Michel Foucault]] == Further reading == * [[Georges Canguilhem|Canguilhem, Georges]], ''The Normal and the Pathological'', ISBN 0-942299-59-0. {{disambig}} [[Category:Philosophical terminology]] [[Category:Social sciences]] [[cs:Normativ]] [[da:Normativ]] [[de:Normativ]] [[pt:Normatividade]] [[sv:Normativ]]