The paper has made a start in trying to clarify issues on both sides of the Clarity Project. It
suggests that a framework for standards is one that sets out what is wanted from the activity of
auditing. These desires for ends that are to be achieved through auditing are used by standard
setters in practical reasoning to a desire to promulgate auditing standards. If these are followed by auditors the desires will be fulfilled.Practical reasoning is explained and the nature of the reasons for promulgating auditing standards clarified. The paper also examines the idea of ‘objectives-based’ standards. The idea of‘objectives’ is ambiguous and might mean an end
or outcome desired or a requirement for auditors to perform some procedure. Objectives in ISAs might be either.