An argument is a statement to prove a proposition, ie a thesis. The strength of such a thesis depends on the quality of the arguments we can find for them. A normative argument is a statement which is based on a recognized pattern of thought, ie a norm. Such patterns of thought are called topoi.
Normative means that something is universally accepted, serves as a guideline or a measure of something. The adjective goes back to the noun norm. This is a rule for the coexistence of people who are binding and commonly accepted. Thou shalt not kill a man, would be such a standard. So if something is normative, it is assumed by others. Let’s look at an example.
(1)
(2)
You should not cheat.
Therefore, depreciation should be prohibited.
The normative argument here is that you should never cheat. Such a statement will be popular with most people. So we are dealing with a statement that includes moral and political as well as social and political demands and is assumed to be set by some people to a different extent. The argument is therefore normative.
From this, the derivation in the example shows that the depreciation (perhaps in an examination) should be prohibited. The thesis is, therefore, that it would be better to forbid the copying and this is done by the fact that one should never cheat. It is thus argued for the formulated thesis.
(1)
(2)
What is worth waiting for.
The decision was long discussed. It should be implemented.
Here, the normative argument found for the enforcement of the decision is rather weak. This is due to the fact that norms are not always equally strong. In the first case one was cited which most people accept, which is why the statement appears logical. However, the spirits divorce, whether the statement that something that lasts long is good.
Note: Normative arguments can be drawn from anything that is universally accepted. In a pluralistic society there is, however, no general expectation. Pluralistic means that different norms exist in society that can contradict each other.
The most important to the effect and function at a glance
A normative argument is based on recognized norms within a society. However, there are norms that are far more recognized (not killing, stealing, cheating, etc.), and those that only apply to some people (do not intervene, bounce, run across the lawn, etc.).
If a society is pluralistic, therefore, has different views and values, such a statement will have less appeal, since there are many different views as to which norm is now the right one.
In addition to the factual argument, authority argument, plausibility argument, and indirect or even analogizing arguments, the normative is considered a serious practice in rhetoric and can be used to substantiate a contested assertion.
