I was surprised hearing the above and answered that I only have one (1): my only principle is not having principles. I am a pragmatist with little faith in ideology. After some discussion it appeared that my friend has a different understanding of principles and didn’t know that Prinzipienreiter is an insult.
I think, feel and believe that my friend may have confused the word (rigid) principle with firm opinions. Indeed, in my conversations, I seldom express doubt or fear; mainly hope and love. I say what I think, and think about what I (will) say. Hence, my firm opinions that are unrelated to my principles.
Recently, I disclosed that I’m a (principled) believer (ie, in Yahweh). My beliefs are unrelated to any religion although I’m fascinated by the ancient Sumerian religious beliefs. One of those reasons is that those Sumerian beliefs underpin the Abrahamic religions (eg, Christianity, Islam, Judaism).
Beliefs can change under pressure (eg, burnout). Principles are not that likely to be subject to Change. I suppose that principles are part of our personality. You cannot change your personality, contrary to the opinion by a Flemish science journalist: yes, you can change your personality.
Any personality is like human firmware, my 2016 blog. You can update your firmware but you cannot change it. Interestingly, you can hide your personality through your attitude and your behaviour. However, in specific circumstances (eg, emergencies) your personality will reveal itself.
Another possible principle (of me) might be helping people. However, that principle is not absolute and only relative. Some people do not deserve my time (ie, quality). Moreover, my time resources are also limited (ie, quantity).
I just asked a question to Google (“why should one have principles”) and received this Google AI Overview answer:
Having personal principles is essential because they act as a foundational, internal compass that translates values into consistent daily actions, enabling better decision-making. They provide stability, reduce decision fatigue in uncertain situations, and guide long-term success, helping you navigate challenges with integrity rather than being swayed by popular opinion.
Such kind of principles are my ethical / moral values, which are (far) less rigid than principles.
Please also refer to my 2023 blog on situational ethics, including the trolley car problem, for an elaboration.
“There are no principles; there are only events. There is no good and bad, there are only circumstances. The superior man espouses events and circumstances in order to guide them. If there were principles and fixed laws, nations would not change them as we change our shirts and a man can not be expected to be wiser than an entire nation.” Note: markings by LO
A (translation of a) quote by Honoré de Balzac (1799-1850), a French novelist and playwright
The Pleasure Principle (1986) by Janet Jackson
artist, lyrics, video, Wiki-artist, Wiki-album, Wiki-song
Note: all markings (bold, italic, underlining) by LO unless in quotes or stated otherwise
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