The Normative Case Study1

The case study is one of the major research strategies in contemporary social science. Although most discussions of case study research presume that cases contribute to explanatory theory, this article draws from recent literature about ethical reasoning to argue that case studies can also contribute to normative theory—to theories about the ideals we should pursue and the obligations we should accept. This conclusion suggests that contrary to some views (notably Max Weber’s) social science has a vital role to play in the prescriptive study of values, particularly so‐called “thick ethical concepts” like “leadership,” “courage,” and “neighborhood vitality.”