NORMATIVE,

DESCRIPTIVE &
MORAL
STATEMENTS
MAKING VALUE JUDGEMENT ON CRITICAL ISSUES THAT DEMAND SOUND ANALYSIS
AND CALL FOR PROMPT ACTIONS (PART THREE)
“Hindi kita nilalait, nilalarawan
kita.”
One way to get a quick handle on the nature of value
judgement is to see that any statement of fact can easily be
converted into valuable judgement by introducing a value
term; DESCRIPTIVE, NORMATIVE and MORAL.
 Descriptive Statement is just what you think it is. It
describes a situation. It simply tells us/what is the case.
Gives an account on how the world is, without saying it’s
good or bad.
 Normative Statement is a claim about something should
be. Express and evaluation, saying that something is good or
bad, better or worse relative to some standard or alternative.
 Moral Statement claims that something is morally good or
bad, right or wrong, or has some other moral quality.
Examples of Descriptive Statements: Examples of Normative Statements: Examples of Moral Statements:
1. If you wanted to pass the test you
should have studied harder.
2. "Star Wars Episode VII: The Force
Awakens, is a better movie than 1. “You shouldn’t lie to someone just
1. The mug of coffee in front of me is Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom to get out of an uncomfortable
now at room temperature. Menace." situation.”
2. I had a toast and eggs for breakfast 3. If an employer finds that older 2. “It’s wrong to afflict unnecessary
this morning. people are underrepresented in pain and suffering on animals.”
3. Kevin is under six feet tall. their workplace, they can state in 3. “Julie is a kind and generous
4. The sun rises in the east and sets in recruitment adverts that older person.”
the west. people are welcome to apply. 4. “My bike was stolen outside the
4. President Bush did his best to grocery store.”
defend the country from terrorism,
so I think he deserves more
respect.
They are all descriptive statements.
All moral statements are normative
They make no value judgement. They
statements. Not all normative
are stating something what they had
statements are moral statements.
seen or experienced.
Each of them expresses a value judgement. They are considered as normative
statements. Things to consider before making a value judgement:

1. Think and analyze the situation before giving your perceptual

understanding.
2. Give your value judgements without bias.
3. Before giving statements, always put yourself on the situation they
are in and speak your side as if like you are one of the persons
involved in the issue.
4. Reflect!
5. Speak with a concerned heart to avoid negative criticisms.