When Principles, Aren't
The difference between principles, convictions, standards, and actions.
Heads up. For those following me for writing stuff: this is a more philosophical post. I suppose I could make it related to character development, but it’s more about why I think the current state of the US is what it is. No politics, though! I promise. If you’re OK with that, read on…
I think a lot of people have a screwed up understanding of what principles, convictions, standards, and actions are, and how they relate. Not surprising, really. That's pretty much the way humans operate, unless we intentionally stop to think about it.
Principles are fundamental truths we believe. That life is sacred, murder is wrong, theft is bad, taking care of others in need is good, etc.
Convictions are personal beliefs based on those truths. "Theft is wrong, therefore I should not steal" is a conviction; so is "Life is hard, therefore I should help others when I can." These are personal beliefs, and so differ from person to person.
Standards are rules that we make for ourselves to help us keep our convictions. Since convictions are personal, standards are as well. "I will try to return lost property to its owner" is a standard. So is "I will give something every month to the local food pantry."
Actions are when we put those standards into practice. When we find that lost bike, and stop to find the owner. When we go shopping and add a couple of extra cans of food. The scope of actions are often contingent on circumstances. You might take that lost bike to the nearest store, or drop it off at a fire or police station nearby. You might usually buy a couple of cans of soup to give to the food pantry when you go grocery shopping, but not be able to this trip because you have no extra cash on you.
A lot of times - a majority of the time, I think - when people talk about their "principles", they are actually talking about their convictions, standards, or actions. All of which are personal or dependent on circumstances. They elevate their personal interpretation of principles to the point where something other than the principles is held as the truth.
For example:
Principle: Taking care of others in need is a good thing.
Conviction: I should help others when I am can.
Standard: I will give something to the food pantry every month.
Action: When I'm at the grocery store, I will try to buy a little extra that I can give away.
What's the problem? That's all good, right? Well, consider this:
Principle: Taking care of others in need is a good thing.
Conviction: I should help others always, even in preference to my own needs.
Standard: I will own nothing myself.
Action: I will sell everything I own & serve the poor.
Same principle; wildly different convictions, standards, and actions. Which one is right?
Both of them are, if you start from the same principle.
If you confuse your principles and your standards, though, you get friction. Who's right? "I will give some" and "I will give all" are mutually exclusive. The person giving some looks at the person giving all, and thinks they are dangerously unstable. The person giving all looks at the person giving some, and thinks they are unreasonably greedy.
Too often these days, when someone says they're living by their principles, what they mean is that they've elevated their standards to take the place of principles. They are demanding that everyone have the same convictions, standards, and actions that they do. Anything else is seen as a deviation from "truth"; something warped, unworthy, and evil.
When the simple fact is, not everyone thinks the same way you do. Not even people who believe the same fundamental truths.
Too often, we think we have a difference in principles with someone else, when the reality is, what we have is a difference in standards. It doesn't matter if you're talking about religion, politics, or social systems. It happens across the board. Mistaking principles and standards leads us to fight with those we most closely agree with.
Take a look at the world around you. At the divides that seem to be growing, regardless of the efforts and desires of everyone involved. Then take a look inward, and ask yourself if you're mistaking your own standards for the principles you claim to hold.