Normative

In philosophy, normative is usually contrasted with descriptive or explanatory when describing types of theories, beliefs, or statements. Descriptive (or constative) statements are falsifiable statements that attempt to describe reality. Normative statements, on the other hand, affirm how things should or ought to be, how to value them, which things are good or bad, which actions are right or wrong.

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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 are rational and can be rationally discussed or defended, for example the tradition of practical reason going from Aristotle through Kant to Habermas, which asserts that they can, or that of logical positivism, which maintained that they were merely the expression of emotions and had no rational content.

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Normative statements and norms, as their meanings, are an integral part of our lives, in terms of prioritizing our goals, and organizing and planning thought, belief, emotion and action and are the basis of much of ethical and political discourse.

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Philosophy: Philosophy is a discipline or field of study involving the investigation, analysis, and development of ideas at a general, abstract, or fundamental level. It is the discipline in search for a general understanding of values and reality by chiefly speculative rather than observational means. The term...

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