Question

Which of the following correctly describes the normative function?

1) When Corey sees a car accident, he doesn't call an ambulance because there are many other drivers on the road.
2) When Sheila copies her mother's aggressive behaviour, she does so because she thinks it is morally correct.
3) When the city bus doesn't come, Tony looks to others waiting for the bus for information on how to act.
4) While watching a movie together, James laughs whenever Sarah laughs, because he is trying to gain her affection.

Answer 1

The scenario that correctly describes the normative function is the one where Sheila adopts aggressive behavior because she believes it is morally correct, reflecting the role of moral rules in guiding behavior.

Step-by-step explanation:

The normative function in ethics refers to the role of guiding and determining what is morally right or wrong based on certain criteria or principles. In the context of the four scenarios provided, the one that correctly describes the normative function is: “When Sheila copies her mother's aggressive behaviour, she does so because she thinks it is morally correct.” This choice reflects the normative influence of moral rules and the adoption of specific behavior because it is believed to be the right thing to do.

Normative ethics is concerned with establishing criteria for correct behavior and includes approaches such as consequentialist, deontological, and virtue ethics. These approaches provide frameworks to analyze the righteousness of actions based on their consequences, duty, or character, respectively.

Societies enforce moral norms that lead to conformity and are guided by both formal and informal rules called mores and folkways. Mores are associated with moral principles and have more severe consequences when violated, while folkways dictate everyday behavior with less severe consequences.