Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016)
This is a definition of Normative Theory that states "A set of propositions that attempts to prescribe something."
This definition of Normative Theory was formulated by Zoe Sebastien in 2016.1 It is currently accepted by Scientonomy community as the best available definition of the term.
Contents
Scientonomic History
Acceptance Record
Community | Accepted From | Acceptance Indicators | Still Accepted | Accepted Until | Rejection Indicators |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Scientonomy | 15 February 2017 | The definition became accepted as a result of the acceptance of the respective suggested modification. | Yes |
Suggestions To Accept
Here are all the modifications where the acceptance of this definition has been suggested:
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 |
Question Answered
Normative Theory (Sebastien-2016) is an attempt to answer the following question: What is normative theory? How should it be defined?
See Normative Theory for more details.
Description
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".2 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.
Reasons
No reasons are indicated for this definition.
If a reason supporting this definition is missing, please add it here.
Questions About This Definition
There are no higher-order questions concerning this definition.
If a question about this definition is missing, please add it here.
References
- ^ Sebastien, Zoe. (2016) The Status of Normative Propositions in the Theory of Scientific Change. Scientonomy 1, 1-9. Retrieved from https://www.scientojournal.com/index.php/scientonomy/article/view/26947.
- ^ Barseghyan, Hakob. (2015) The Laws of Scientific Change. Springer.