Positive statement

In the social sciences and philosophy, a positive or descriptive statement concerns what "is", "was", or "will be", excluding statements of what is, was, or will be moral (in the absolute or true sense). Positive statements are thus the opposite of normative statements. Positive statements are based on empirical evidence. For example, "an increase in taxation will result in less consumption" and "a fall in supply of petrol will lead to an increase in its price". However, positive statements can be factually incorrect: "The moon is made of green cheese" is empirically false, but is still a positive statement, as it is a statement about what is, not what should be.^[1]

Distinction from normative statements

Positive statements are distinct from normative statements. Positive statements are based on empirical evidence, can be tested, and involve no value judgements. Positive statements refer to what is and contain no indication of approval or disapproval. When values or opinions come into the analysis, then it is in the realm of normative economics. A normative statement expresses a judgment about whether a situation is desirable or undesirable, which can carry value judgements. These refer to what ought to be. Normative statements are often judgments of positive statements.

Example 1

The statement "This bill recently became law" is a positive statement. It states that a certain piece of legislation had recently become law. A normative statement can be spawned from this by asserting a judgment about this law. For example, someone who opposes the law may proclaim "it is objectionable that this bill became law", which is a normative statement. Likewise, "It is rightful that this bill became law" is also a normative statement.

Example 2

Consider the statement "Johnson Bakery increased the price of their bagels. It is outrageous that Johnson Bakery would do this." The first sentence is a positive statement because it states what is: that, plainly, Johnson Bakery increased the prices of their bagels. The second sentence is a normative statement because it declares a judgment towards the aforementioned proposition. In this case, the speaker feels negatively towards the price increase.

See also

• Falsifiability
• Positivism
• Normative statement

References

• Lipsey, Richard G. (1975). An introduction to positive economics (fourth ed.). Weidenfeld & Nicolson. pp. 4–6. ISBN 0-297-76899-9.
• Positive vs. Normative Economics, Economae: An Encyclopedia

This page was last edited on 28 May 2024, at 20:02