Explaining the Normative

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, Philosophy
Cover of the book Explaining the Normative by Stephen P. Turner, Wiley
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Stephen P. Turner ISBN: 9780745654539
Publisher: Wiley Publication: May 2, 2013
Imprint: Polity Language: English
Author: Stephen P. Turner
ISBN: 9780745654539
Publisher: Wiley
Publication: May 2, 2013
Imprint: Polity
Language: English

Normativity is what gives reasons their force, makes words meaningful, and makes rules and laws binding. It is present whenever we use such terms as ‘correct,' ‘ought,' ‘must,' and the language of obligation, responsibility, and logical compulsion. Yet normativists, the philosophers committed to this idea, admit that the idea of a non-causal normative realm and a body of normative objects is spooky. Explaining the Normative is the first systematic, historically grounded critique of normativism. It identifies the standard normativist pattern of argument, and shows how this pattern depends on circularities, assumptions about the unique correctness of preferred descriptions, problematic transcendental arguments, and regress arguments that end in mysteries.

The book considers in detail a paradigm case: legal normativity as constructed by Hans Kelsen. This case exemplifies the problems with normativist arguments. But it also shows how normativism was constructed as an alternative to ordinary social science explanation. The normativist argument is that social science explanations themselves are forced to rely on normative conceptsÑminimally, on normative rationality and on a normative view of ‘concepts' themselves.

Empathic understanding of the reasoning and meanings of others, however, can solve the regress problems about meaning and rationality that are central to the appeal of normativism. This account has no need for a parallel normative world, and has a surprising and revealing lineage in the history of philosophy, as well as a basis in neuroscience.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

Normativity is what gives reasons their force, makes words meaningful, and makes rules and laws binding. It is present whenever we use such terms as ‘correct,' ‘ought,' ‘must,' and the language of obligation, responsibility, and logical compulsion. Yet normativists, the philosophers committed to this idea, admit that the idea of a non-causal normative realm and a body of normative objects is spooky. Explaining the Normative is the first systematic, historically grounded critique of normativism. It identifies the standard normativist pattern of argument, and shows how this pattern depends on circularities, assumptions about the unique correctness of preferred descriptions, problematic transcendental arguments, and regress arguments that end in mysteries.

The book considers in detail a paradigm case: legal normativity as constructed by Hans Kelsen. This case exemplifies the problems with normativist arguments. But it also shows how normativism was constructed as an alternative to ordinary social science explanation. The normativist argument is that social science explanations themselves are forced to rely on normative conceptsÑminimally, on normative rationality and on a normative view of ‘concepts' themselves.

Empathic understanding of the reasoning and meanings of others, however, can solve the regress problems about meaning and rationality that are central to the appeal of normativism. This account has no need for a parallel normative world, and has a surprising and revealing lineage in the history of philosophy, as well as a basis in neuroscience.

More books from Wiley

Cover of the book Managing PCOS For Dummies by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book The Handbook of the History and Philosophy of Criminology by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book The Aztecs by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Designing with Objects by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Nanoparticles - Nanocomposites – Nanomaterials by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book ECG at a Glance by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Environmental Microbiology by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Process Systems and Materials for CO2 Capture by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Geotechnische Nachweise nach EC 7 und DIN 1054 by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Equitation Science by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book From Me to We by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Formation Testing by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Project Manager's Spotlight on Risk Management by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book The Feminine Subject by Stephen P. Turner
Cover of the book Process Scale Purification of Antibodies by Stephen P. Turner
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy