FACTUAL AND NORMATIVE RULES
There is a distinction between descriptive rules, which describe patterns of behavior or events, and normative rules, which indicate how things should be. This distinction can be hard to define, especially in cases where rules are not clearly articulated. An example of this difficulty is when a person or animal struggles between a desire and an inhibition that they may not fully understand. Norms can exist in various forms, from unarticulated feelings to recognized rules enforced by authority.
The difference between descriptive and normative rules becomes more apparent when one considers whether people should follow these rules. Descriptive rules simply reflect what people do, while normative rules involve judgments about how they should act. Moreover, one cannot logically deduce what one ought to do just from factual statements. Instead, normative conclusions arise only when one adopts certain goals.
In primitive thinking, there is often no clear separation between how something should be done and how it actually is done, as both knowledge of processes and rules of conduct are interconnected. This view remains until individuals realize there are alternative methods to achieve a goal. Furthermore, individuals may follow norms not necessarily because they believe they lead to success, but because they help maintain order within the group, showing that compliance with norms often serves a broader purpose than individual goals.
There is a distinction between descriptive rules, which describe patterns of behavior or events, and normative rules, which indicate how things should be. This distinction can be hard to define, especially in cases where rules are not clearly articulated. An example of this difficulty is when a person or animal struggles between a desire and an inhibition that they may not fully understand. Norms can exist in various forms, from unarticulated feelings to recognized rules enforced by authority.
The difference between descriptive and normative rules becomes more apparent when one considers whether people should follow these rules. Descriptive rules simply reflect what people do, while normative rules involve judgments about how they should act. Moreover, one cannot logically deduce what one ought to do just from factual statements. Instead, normative conclusions arise only when one adopts certain goals.
In primitive thinking, there is often no clear separation between how something should be done and how it actually is done, as both knowledge of processes and rules of conduct are interconnected. This view remains until individuals realize there are alternative methods to achieve a goal. Furthermore, individuals may follow norms not necessarily because they believe they lead to success, but because they help maintain order within the group, showing that compliance with norms often serves a broader purpose than individual goals.