A norm is a rule for behaviour, or a definite pattern of behaviour, departure from which renders a person liable to some kind of censure. In this sense there are grammatical norms, and norms of etiquette, as well as moral norms. Indeed, almost all aspects of human behaviour will be to some extent norm-governed. The nature of norms, the source of their authority, and the form they should take, occupy centre-stage in any theory of ethics, philosophy of language, and of law, and they also play at least a major role in distinguishing the human sciences or Geisteswissenchaften from the natural sciences. See also rule-following.
Philosophy dictionary. Academic. 2011.