Notes on the Methodology of Normative Systems

Abstract

Systems research has mainly concerned systems of objects, not of norms and hypotheses. in combating technocracy it is important to argue from fundamental value priorities and consistently weigh technical goals in the light of fundamental needs. the paper describes how to articulate normative systems using a particular system 'ecosophy t' as illustration. all norms are derived from one of 'self-realization' plus hypotheses about the world. among the hypotheses we find 'diversity increases self-realization potentials' and among the derived norms we find that they 'maximize diversity'! a system admits of a series of versions. they are developed through making more precise the least precise, but most widely understandable, formulations. the formulations quoted above show low preciseness but high suggestiveness. other versions make more precise what is to be meant by 'diversity' and which are the criteria.