A principle is a guideline a mind regards as good and worth following. These guidelines can serve as general rules, such as treating people fairly, respecting autonomy, seeking truth, and avoiding unnecessary harm. They guide how a mind thinks, judges, and acts. They can also involve avoiding or restricting undesirable behavior, such as cruelty, deception, or recklessness.
Principles are used throughout TST in their traditional sense. Within the TST Idea Axiom Framework, the principle role has a particular use. An idea axiom lens uses four roles to explore a core idea: value, virtue, principle, and action. The principle role identifies a guideline worth following in relation to the core idea. For example, the core idea of truth can be expressed through the principle of seeking truth, fairness through fair treatment, and authenticity through living authentically. Each connects a core idea to a guideline we might follow.
And principle expressions can be any principle worth exploring. For example, when exploring authenticity, we might consider living authentically, examining inherited expectations, or taking responsibility for our choices. Each focuses the authenticity lens differently. We can also explore principles associated with ideas that aren’t themselves guidelines. Understanding impermanence might encourage the principle of accounting for change when making decisions, while overcoming illusion might encourage testing appearances against evidence. These principles aren’t the same as the core ideas, but they help the mind see them through a particularly configured lens.
Each principle expression allows you to configure an idea axiom lens to examine different aspects of a core idea. Change the principle expression, and you change what you explore. That can change what you value, the virtues you cultivate, and the actions you take. The core idea stays the same, but your understanding deepens and widens.