Do Norms Dream of Electric Sheeps? On norms as artifacts

Abstract

The purpose of this work is to conduct a critical evaluation of the central thesis defended by Juan Pablo Mañalich in “Conduct Norms as Abstract Artifacts.” Firstly, the author’s criticisms against the hyletic and expressive conceptions of norms are examined to demonstrate that there is indeed a fundamental difficulty with the criterion underlying such a distinction. Secondly, Mañalich’s characterization of conduct norms as abstract artifacts is specifically considered, pointing out the various difficulties it entails.