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Principle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Theconcept of blind justiceis a moral principle.[1]

Aprinciplemay relate to a fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of beliefs or behavior or a chain of reasoning.[2]They provide a guide for behavior or evaluation.[2]A principle can make values explicit, so they are expressed in the form of rules and standards. Principles unpack the values underlying them more concretely so that the values can be more easily operationalized in policy statements and actions.[3]

Inlaw,higher order, overarching principles establishrulesto be followed, modified by sentencing guidelines relating to context and proportionality. In science and nature, a principle may define the essential characteristics of the system, or reflect the system's designed purpose. The effective operation would be impossible if any one of the principles was to be ignored.[4]A system may be explicitly based on and implemented from a document of principles as was done in IBM's360/370Principles 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.[5]

Examples of principles are,entropyin a number of fields, least action in physics, those in descriptive comprehensive and fundamental law:doctrinesor assumptions forming normative rules of conduct,separation of church and statein statecraft, thecentral dogma of molecular biology,fairnessin 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.

As law

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As moral law

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Socratespreferred to face execution rather than betray his moral principles.[6]

A principle represents values that orient and rule the conduct of persons in a particular society. To "act on principle" is to act in accordance with one's moral ideals.[7]Principles are absorbed in childhood through a process ofsocialization.There is a presumption of liberty of individuals that is restrained. Exemplary principles includeFirst, do no harm,theGolden Ruleand theDoctrine of the Mean.

As a juridic law

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It represents a set of values that inspire the written norms that organize the life of a society submitting to the powers of an authority, generally the State. The law establishes a legal obligation, in a coercive way; it therefore acts as principleconditioningof the action that limits the liberty of the individuals. See, for examples, theterritorial principle,homestead principle,andprecautionary principle.

As scientific law

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Archimedes principle,relating buoyancy to the weight of displaced water, is an early example of alawin science. Another early one developed byMalthusis thepopulation principle,now called theMalthusian principle.[8]Freud also wrote on principles, especially thereality principlenecessary to keep the id andpleasure principlein check. Biologists use theprinciple of priorityandprinciple of Binominal nomenclaturefor precision in namingspecies.There are many principles observed in physics, notably incosmologywhich observes themediocrity principle,theanthropic principle,theprinciple of relativityand thecosmological principle.Other well-known principles include theuncertainty principleinquantum mechanicsand thepigeonhole principleandsuperposition principlein mathematics.

As axiom or logical fundament

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Principle of sufficient reason

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The principle states that every event has a rational explanation.[9]The principle has a variety of expressions, all of which are perhaps best summarized by the following:

For every entityx,ifxexists, then there is a sufficient explanation for whyxexists.
For every evente,ifeoccurs, then there is a sufficient explanation for whyeoccurs.
For every propositionp,ifpis true, then there is a sufficient explanation for whypis true.

However, one realizes that in every sentence there is a direct relation between the predicate and the subject. To say that "the Earth is round", corresponds to a direct relation between the subject and the predicate.

Principle of non-contradiction

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Portrait bustof Aristotle; anImperial Romancopy of a lostbronze sculpturemade byLysippos

According toAristotle,“It is impossible for the same thing to belong and not to belong at the same time to the same thing and in the same respect.”[10]For example, it is not possible that in exactly the same moment and place, it rains and does not rain.[11]

Principle of excluded middle

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The principle of the excluding third or "principium tertium exclusum" is a principle of the traditional logic formulated canonically byLeibnizas: eitherAisBorAisn'tB.It is read the following way: eitherPis true, or its denial ¬Pis.[12] It is also known as "tertium non datur"('A third (thing) is not'). Classically it is considered to be one of the most important fundamental principles or laws of thought (along with the principles of identity, non-contradiction and sufficient reason).

See also

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References

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  1. ^Jacoby, Jeff."Lady Justice's blindfold."Boston.com.10 May 2009. 25 October 2017.
  2. ^abStevenson, Angus; Lindberg, Christine A., eds. (2010-01-01)."New Oxford American Dictionary".doi:10.1093/acref/9780195392883.001.0001.ISBN978-0-19-539288-3.
  3. ^UNESCO (2021)."Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence".{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^Alpa, Guido (1994)General Principles of Law,Annual Survey of International & Comparative Law,Vol. 1: Is. 1, Article 2. fromGolden Gate University School of Law
  5. ^Sharpley, D. (2024)."Leadership Principles and Purpose".{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^"The Ethics of Socrates."Archived2018-05-01 at theWayback MachinePhilosophy.25 October 2017.
  7. ^"Full Transcript: Jeff Flake’s Speech on the Senate Floor."New York Times.24 October 2017. 25 October 2017.
  8. ^Elwell, Frank W."T. Robert Mathus's Principle...."Rogers State University.2013. 25 October 2017.
  9. ^"Principle of Sufficient Reason."Archived2018-06-11 at theWayback MachineStanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.7 September 2016. 25 October 2017.
  10. ^"Aristotle on Non-contradiction."Archived2018-06-11 at theWayback MachineStanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.12 June 2015. 25 October 2017.
  11. ^"Great Philosophers."Oregon State University.2002. 25 October 2017.
  12. ^Whitehead, Alfred North (2005).Principia mathematica, by Alfred North Whitehead... and Bertrand Russell.
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