Principles
A principle may relate to a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behavior or a chain of reasoning. They provide a guide for behavior or evaluation. A principle can make values explicit, so they are expressed in the form of rules and standards. Principles unpack values so they can be more easily operationalized in policy statements and actions.
In law, higher-order, overarching principles establish rules to be followed, modified by sentencing guidelines relating to context and proportionality. In science and nature, a principle may define the essential characteristics of a system or reflect a system's designed purpose. The effective operation would be impossible if any one of the principles were to be ignored. A system may be explicitly based on and implemented from a document of principles, as was done in IBM's 360/370 Principles of Operation. It is important to differentiate an operational principle, including reference to “first principles,” from higher-order “guiding” or “exemplary” principles, such as equality, justice, and sustainability. Higher-order, “superordinate” principles (Super-Ps) provide a basis for resolving differences and building agreement/alignment.
Examples of principles include entropy in a number of fields and least action in physics. Examples in descriptive, comprehensive, and fundamental law include doctrines or assumptions forming normative rules of conduct, such as the separation of church and state in statecraft, the central dogma of molecular biology, fairness in ethics, etc.
In common English, it is a substantive and collective term referring to rule governance, the absence of which, being "unprincipled," is considered a character defect. It may also be used to declare that a reality has diverged from some ideal or norm, as when something is said to be true only "in principle" but not in fact.
Principles
- 2018-06-28T00:00:00.000000Z
Hopscotch
- 2023-12-11T00:00:00.000000Z
CalNeva
- 2023-09-12T00:00:00.000000Z
Similar Artists