Evil/MoralRulesVsPrinciples

ChiarkPerson asks: 'is morality a matter of principles which must be applied to each new situation, strict rules which must not be broken, or both?'

DouglasReay replies: I'm not sure what definitions ChiarkPerson is using here, so I went out on google and had a look for some likely ones:

Yah didn't find anything useful, apparantly, just some feminist bollocks. Oh well. - no-reverse.redstone-isp.net

: Ok, would you like to supply a pair of definitions you think are more in line with what ChiarkPerson intended? --DR

From: http://sandradodd.com/rules
A principle internally motivates you to do the things that seem good and right. People develop principles by living with people with principles and seeing the real benefits of such a life.

A rule externally compels you, through force, threat or punishment, to do the things someone else has deemed good or right. People follow or break rules.

From: http://www.danielleconger.com/Homeschool/Rules.html
Rules are all about authority, hierarchy, rigidity and absolutes. They tend to be top down, reinforcing a power structure that relies upon a "might makes right" mentality--"because I say so," "I'm the parent, that's why," "That's just the way it goes." Rules exist outside the person to whom they are applied. They are externally enforced and prohibit the possibility of question, adaptation or exception.

Principles, on the other hand, are about autonomy, mindful living, freedom and flexibility. Principles, rather than being absolute and automatic, demand careful thought and inquiry both to establish and apply. They represent a consensus about rightness, fairness and equity that once agreed upon provide an internal measure of conduct.

CategoryPhilosophy