Page:Philosophical Review Volume 12.djvu/648

632 character, while a few maintain that it is entirely descriptive and nowise normative.

A normative science may be, and often is, defined as a science which lays down standards, rules, or laws to be used in some sphere of activity. The question here is as to the meaning of the term 'lay down.' In what sense can science be said to lay down rules for the guidance of the simple? Take the science of hygiene for example. This science is regarded and expounded by many as a system of rules of practice: "Eat this, drink that, breathe deep, bathe often, and eschew excesses." But a little reflection will serve to show that what is really scientific in these prescriptions is not their mandatory character, but the implied statements of connection between certain courses of action and certain generally desired ends. "If thou dost these things, happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee." The prescriptions we find in scientific writings are disguised statements of facts. The true scientist, as scientist, does not advise or exhort. He gives an unimpassioned recital of the facts in their connections. He does not lay down any rules of any sort for the guidance of anybody. He merely says: "This is the way things are." That is, all science is descriptive—descriptive not merely of isolated individual objects, but of objects in their interrelations. Now if a normative science is defined as a science which is not descriptive, it is not a science at all. Science is knowledge, not will. It is indicative, not imperative. Hence, if there are to be any normative sciences at all, another definition must be sought for them than that given above. A point of departure for such definition can be obtained in the fact that many things known by science have a bearing upon human desires and human wills. While knowledge is not power, it is light, and makes possible the use of power along lines of advantage to the agent. Not only may we know that strychnine is C$21$H$22$N$2$O$2$, obtained from nux vomica, insoluble in water and ether and scarcely soluble in absolute alcohol, but readily soluble in ordinary alcohol, and when so dissolved turning the plane of polarization to the left; we may also know that it is a most powerful poison, and taken in any considerable quantities causes death. Now every one of these