normative statement

created by Tem42
(idea) by Tem42 (12 hr) (print)   (I like it!) 1 C! Sat Dec 30 2000 at 22:24:25

A statement that tells you what should be done. These are specifically statements used in ethical contexts, where a statement may not be measurably true or false in any objective sense, but is still used as if it gives useful information.

"You shouldn't kill" is an example; Likewise "Don't kill", as the 'shouldn't' is implied. "Release the parking brake before driving" could be considered a normative statement, although since it doesn't give a moral or normative (in the sense of cultural norms) directive, it would not normally be referred to as one. (Taking off the parking brake would, objectively speaking, be a good idea in any culture).

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