Towards an enhanced understanding of normativity
Integrating some of the main works produced in this direction in the last few decades, the 'Normative practices in the public sphere. A theoretical modeling of forms of civic engagement' (VALUES) project embarked on a sociological study of agents' normative behaviour. Of the three major aims, the first was to provide a theoretical account of the epistemic conditions that qualify the functioning of normative practices. The second was to provide a framework for analysing and describing the main forms of normative practices. Lastly, VALUES intended to develop conceptual tools for analysing specific cases of moral and sociopolitical controversies.Following an interdisciplinary approach that draws from both philosophy and the social sciences, project work was divided into three main phases. The first phase defined the theoretical framework. To this end, articles were produced on three areas of inquiry, justifying the theoretical grounds on which the theory of normative practices was to be built. In the first article, VALUES highlights the pragmatist origins of the idea of rationality as a social institution. The other two articles cover the concept of rationality (and its main conceptual components) as a social institution, and the concept of pragmatic objectivity. A plan was also outlined for a book on the theory of normative practices.To arrive at a definition of the model of normativity as practice, the second phase involved two steps. The first focused on evolving a general definition of the notion of practice that is suited to the description of normative practices and their main analytical elements. The second aimed to identify the main theoretical grounds on which the practical aspects of normativity will have to be taken into account. The latter considered Frederick Will's theory of rational governance of norms, which is deemed a general theory of normativity as practice. A paper on this topic was produced. A book chapter on the empirical basis of the model of normative practices is in progress, as is another book chapter on the taxonomy of normative practices.Phase 3 was designed to expand on existing literature so as to develop an evidence-based taxonomy of normative practices. With a focus on empirical studies describing how ordinary agents engage in normative practices, VALUES researchers have completed one discussion paper and are preparing another two.Although the project ended six months earlier than expected, all main milestones for each phase were achieved.
