What are semantic and normative?
Answer:
In economics, many times prblems arises because of semantics; people use different terms to mean the same thing. Terminology is always a communication problem creator and semantic differences cause avoidable and fruitless debates. Normative economics is a brach of economics where the scientist goes beyond the explanation of economic phenomena and delve in to philosophy of what should be or what is desirable. For further elaboration see excerpts from wilipedia as follows:
Semantics (Greek sēmantikos, giving signs, significant, symptomatic, from sēma (σῆμα), sign) refers to the aspects of meaning that are expressed in a language, code, or other form of representation of information. Semantics is contrasted with two other aspects of meaningful expression, namely, syntax, the construction of complex signs from simpler signs, and pragmatics, the practical use of signs by agents or communities of interpretation in particular circumstances and contexts.[1] By the usual convention that calls a study or a theory by the name of its subject matter, semantics may also denote the theoretical study of meaning in systems of signs.
Though terminology varies, writers on the subject of meaning generally recognize two sorts of meaning that a significant expression may have: (1) the relation that a sign has to objects and objective situations, actual or possible, and (2) the relation that a sign has to other signs, most especially the sorts of mental signs that are conceived of as concepts.
Most theorists refer to the relation between a sign and its objects, as always including any manner of objective reference, as its denotation. Some theorists refer to the relation between a sign and the signs that serve in its practical interpretation as its connotation, but there are many more differences of opinion and distinctions of theory that are made in this case. Many theorists, especially in the formal semantic, pragmatic, and semiotic traditions, restrict the application of semantics to the denotative aspect, using other terms or completely ignoring the connotative aspect.
Normative has specialized meanings in several academic disciplines. Generically, it means relating to a typical standard or model.In social sciences the term "normative" is used to describe the effects of those structures of culture which regulate the function of social activity. While there are always anomalies in social activity (typically described as "crime") the normative effects of popularly-endorsed beliefs (such as "family values" or "common sense") push most social activity towards a generally homogenous set, resulting in varying degrees of social stability. Normative behavior is a term used in sociology to describe actions intended to normalize something, or make it acceptable.Normative economics is the branch of economics that incorporates value judgments about what the economy should be like or what particular policy actions should be recommended to achieve a desirable goal. Normative economics looks at the desirability of certain aspects of the economy. It underlies expressions of support for particular economic policies.
It is common to distinguish normative economics ("what ought to be" [in economic matters]) from positive economics ("what is"). But many normative (value) judgments are held conditionally, to be given up if facts or knowledge of facts changes, so that a change of values may be purely scientific (Sen, 1970, p, 61). This undermines the common distinction (Wong, 1987, p. 923). But Sen distinguishes basic (normative) judgments, which do not depend on such knowledge, from nonbasic judgments, which do. He finds it interesting to note that "no judgments are demonstrably basic" while some value judgments may be shown to be nonbasic. This leaves open the possibility of fruitful scientific discussion of value judgments (Sen, 1970, pp. 63-64).
normative econs - what it should be, might be, could have been.
positive econs - what it was like in the past, what it is like now, what it will be in the future by objective deductions.
normative - it would be nice if you went on a diet, being able to wear tight fit clothes and feel healthier. (subjective)
positive - you did not go on a diet.(objective)
semantic is not in economics, i've heard about semantics in logic and philosophy but not in economics.
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