New Books in Philosophy Charlotte Witt, "Social Goodness: The Ontology of Social Norms" (Oxford UP, 2023)
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Mar 5, 2024 Charlotte Witt, an accomplished author and academic, discusses the intriguing nature of social norms in her latest work. She examines how our roles, like those of professors or parents, impose unchosen obligations. Witt shares personal experiences from her culturally rich upbringing, highlighting how norms evolve and react to nonconformity. The dialogue dives into the artisanal model of norms, emphasizing care and craftsmanship in social practices, shedding light on the interplay of individual agency and hierarchical structures in shaping our societal roles.
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Cross-Cultural Upbringing Shows Local Norms
- Charlotte Witt recounts moving between Finland, South Africa, and the U.S., which made social norms feel local and changeable.
- She learned early that norms often reveal themselves only in contrast across cultures.
The Puzzle Is Where Normativity Comes From
- The core puzzle is why shared social standards acquire normative force independent of individual attitudes.
- Witt focuses on this 'normative oomph' rather than on rule content or membership criteria.
Social Normativity Is Distinct
- Witt rejects purely prudential and applied-ethics accounts of social norms as insufficient.
- She argues social normativity is a distinct kind of normative force that needs its own explanation.