Normative Theory

What is normative theory? How should it be defined?

While some propositions attempt to describe and explain the world, others prescribe how things ought to be, what is right and what is wrong, what is acceptable and what is not. It is important to provide this class of propositions with a proper scientonomic definition.

In the scientonomic context, this term was first used by Zoe Sebastien in 2015. The term is currently accepted by Scientonomy community.

In Scientonomy, the accepted definition of the term is:

• A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something.

Scientonomic History

Acceptance Record of the Term

Here is the complete acceptance record of this term (it includes all the instances when the term was accepted as a part of a community's taxonomy):

Community	Accepted From	Acceptance Indicators	Still Accepted	Accepted Until	Rejection Indicators
Scientonomy	1 January 2016	It was acknowledged as an open question by the Scientonomy Seminar 2015.	Yes

All Definitions

The following definitions of normative theory the term have been suggested:

Theory	Formulation	Formulated In
Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016)	A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something.	2016

If a definition of this term is missing, please click here to add it.

Accepted Definitions

The following definitions of normative theory have been accepted:

Community	Theory	Formulation	Accepted From	Accepted Until
Scientonomy	Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016)	A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something.	15 February 2017

Suggested Modifications

Here is a list of modifications concerning the definitions of normative theory:

Modification	Community	Date Suggested	Summary	Date Assessed	Verdict	Verdict Rationale
Sciento-2016-0002	Scientonomy	3 September 2016	Accept a new taxonomy for theory, normative theory, descriptive theory to reintroduce normative propositions (such as those of ethics or methodology) to the scientific mosaic.	23 January 2017	Not Accepted	Since this modification consisted of two interrelated but essentially distinct suggestions - one definitional and one ontological - it was decided by the community to divide it into two modifications so that the gist of the proposed suggestions is properly articulated. In particular, it was agreed that there are two modifications in "the heart of this single modification - one ontological, the other definitional".c1 It was also agreed that the current formulation "is exclusively definitional, and does not give the community an opportunity to appreciate (and, well, accept) the ontological changes that come along with it".c2 Consequently, it was decided to divide this modification into two modifications - one definitional and one ontological.c3
Sciento-2017-0001	Scientonomy	23 January 2017	Accept new definitions for theory, normative theory, and descriptive theory. Also, modify the definition of methodology to reflect these changes.	15 February 2017	Accepted	The community agreed that this is "an important addition to theoretical scientonomy".c1 It was agreed that since "the paradox of normative propositions has been solved, a revised set of definitions was needed".c2 It was emphasized that if we're going to have any sort of conversation on the status of normative propositions in the mosaic, "then we need to start from a definition".c3

Current Definition

In Scientonomy, the accepted definition of the term is Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016).

Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016) states: "A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something."

While not explicitly stated, the definition assumes that normative propositions involve evaluation, i.e. they "say how something ought to be, what's good or bad, what's right or wrong".1p. 12 In contrast with descriptive propositions, normative propositions do not aim to tell how things are, were, or will be, but rather what is good or bad, desirable or undesirable, permissible or impermissible.

Ontology

Existence

In Scientonomy, it is currently accepted that "There is such a thing as a normative theory."

Subtypes

In Scientonomy, the accepted subtype of Normative Theory is:

• Method

Supertypes

In Scientonomy, the following supertype of Normative Theory is currently accepted:

• Theory

Associations

In Scientonomy, there are currently no accepted associations of Normative Theory.

Disjointness

In Scientonomy, no classes are currently accepted as disjoint with Normative Theory.

Epistemic Stances Towards Normative Theories

In Scientonomy, the accepted answer to the question is:

• The stance of norm employment can be taken towards a normative theory.

If a question concerning the ontology of a normative theory is missing, please add it here.

Dynamics

Mechanism of Scientific Inertia for Normative Theories

In Scientonomy, the accepted answer to the question is:

• An employed norm remains employed in the mosaic unless replaced by other elements.

Mechanism of Normative Theory Rejection

In Scientonomy, the accepted answer to the question is:

• A norm becomes rejected when other elements that are incompatible with the norm become part of the mosaic.

Necessary Normative Theories

In Scientonomy, the accepted answer to the question is:

• In order for the process of scientific change to be possible, the mosaic must necessarily contain at least one employed method.

If a question concerning the dynamics of a normative theory is missing, please add it here.