Which of the following statements is neither normative nor positive?
Select one:
a. The government should raise taxes to control inflation
b. You should drink at least 5 glasses of water per day
c. Alaska is the largest state in the U.S.
d. Hawaii is the prettiest state in the US
e. Delaware has no sales tax
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is e. Delaware has no sales tax.
Explanation:
To understand why this statement is neither normative nor positive, it is important to first define what normative and positive statements are.
- Normative statements are based on values, opinions, or judgments about what should be, often involving words like “should” or “ought.” They express preferences or beliefs about how things should be in an ideal world. An example of a normative statement is “The government should raise taxes to control inflation” (option a), because it reflects an opinion about what the government should do.
- Positive statements, on the other hand, are objective and fact-based. They describe the world as it is and can be tested or verified through evidence or observation. An example of a positive statement is “Alaska is the largest state in the U.S.” (option c), which is a factual statement that can be verified by looking at geographical data.
Now, option e (“Delaware has no sales tax”) is a positive statement because it is verifiable and can be proven true or false by checking the state’s tax laws. It is purely a factual claim, not expressing an opinion or value judgment. However, it is neither normative nor positive in the sense that it does not suggest any behavior, value, or prescription for action.
On the other hand, statements like “You should drink at least 5 glasses of water per day” (option b) and “Hawaii is the prettiest state in the US” (option d) express opinions or personal preferences and are normative because they prescribe behavior or value judgments.