Abstract

Seung contends that modern thought has taken an erroneous and fruitless turn. Modern thinkers accept neither an intuitive knowledge of norms nor the normlessness of positivism. Instead, modern thinkers attempt to construct norms. Attempts to construct norms have failed however, because they all covertly rely on the intuition of norms; therefore, the construction of norms is impossible without using intuition. Despite modern objections to the contrary, knowledge of transcendent norms is possible. Because it is impossible to dispense with intuited norms, appeal to transcendent norms is imperative. Mere intuition of transcendent norms is inadequate though, for such knowledge is vague and indeterminate. We must rely on dialectic to articulate the intuitive understanding of transcendent norms; and in order to apply explicated norms to given contexts, we must rely on prudence.