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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 conceptsNminimally, 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.
Show moreNormativity 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 conceptsNminimally, 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.
Show moreIntroduction vii
Chapter 1 What Is the Problem of Normativity? 1
Chapter 2 The Confl ict with Science and Social Science 29
Chapter 3 A Paradigm Case: The Normativity of the Law 66
Chapter 4 Lustral Rites and Systems of Concepts 95
Chapter 5 Communities, Collective Intentions, and Group Reactions 119
Chapter 6 Rationality or Intelligibility 150
Epilogue 186
References 206
Index 216
Stephen Turner is a Graduate Research Professor at the Department of Philosophy, University of South Florida
"When it comes to producing thought-provoking pieces of academicwriting, Stephen Turner is indefatigable. More than this, thequality never slips." Thesis Eleven "A very important stimulating addition to current philosophicaldiscussion; it presents arguments every normativist should come togrips with." Organon "Turner has done contemporary philosophy and social science a greatservice by holding up a mirror to some forms of normativism; he hasgiven it the best gift one can: geniunely struggled with it, triedto give it voice, and then said how he feels about it. He has also,in his best moments, helped create a clearing where more fruitfuldialogue between normativism and naturalism can take place. Let uswait and see whether those who identify with normativism can cometo meet him there." Human Studies "Turner's very clear and measured writing can easily underplaythe significance of his message, which needs to be taken veryseriously by anyone concerned about the future of philosophy andthe social sciences." Times Higher Education Supplement "What makes Explaining the Normative such animpressive book is the way that Turner s argument is groundednot just in a vast knowledge of historical debates but in theintellectual biographies of individual theorists who grappled withissues relating to normativity." Mark Carrigan, University of Warwick "This book does to the many overblown claims concerning'normativity' what Turner previously did against fashionable ideasof 'social practices': throws cold water on extravagant claims madeon behalf of norms as a distinctive and unavoidable basis forsocial inquiry. The real strength of this analysis is the way thatTurner shows that the current debates about norms have a longhistory, the consideration of which is essential to understandingthe current discussion for good or ill. The book is certainly thebest of its kind and an important contribution." James Bohman, Saint Louis University "This is the most systematic discussion of normativity by asocial theorist (or philosopher of the social sciences). Theargument is forceful and original throughout. Turner bringstogether considerations from a variety of different fields -philosophy of law, philosophy of the social sciences, philosophy ofmind and language, cognitive science - and these different strandsre-enforce and strengthen one another. It is particularlyintriguing to see how philosophers defending normativity have inmany ways 're-invented the normative wheel' that some socialtheorists have used for a long time. This book should be obligatoryreading for philosophers and social scientists alike." Martin Kusch, University of Vienna
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