Would you abide by principles and norms or values?

Question

Silver-Soul You really gave a perfect answer. What shall we do now?

Answer 1

Well, if we abide by our values we eventually abide by principles. It´s like considering a value you live by, lets say honor and because you live by it you try to abide by the principles it encompasses in its meaning, so, basically, if you try to reach honor you will resort to principles. Norms, on the other hand, I do not think were meant to characterize a value, because as long as you live up to the value and stay true to yourself, you do not have to live up to some norm, the rest lives by.

Answer 2

You present an interesting choice--"principles and norms" on one side, "values" on the other (as I read it). But I'm not sure this clearly defines the choice.

Norms are social constructs--they do not exist except in the sense of a "collective" view. The norms of behavior are the accepted standards that everyone implicitly agrees upon so that we can live together in society. But these norms are not necessarily based on values or principles--certainly there are many norms where the principles/values are not known by those who believe in the norms.

Principles, on the other hand, seem to go hand-in-hand with values. When we have a value, that generates a principle that helps us to uphold that value. It is very hard to conceive of a principle that does not have a value behind it.

So it seems that your choice should be "principles and value" on one side, "norms" on the other.

And between those, "principles and values" should be the winner. It doesn't so much matter what the majority believes. Yes, if you are in a minority you may face peer pressure and other difficulties. But who ever said that the majority was always right? If we believe our history books, then the majority thought Columbus was going to fall off the edge of the earth. The majority was wrong.

Just because something is an accepted norm does not make it right. It may be the norm for psychological or cultural reasons--but can be against what morality would dictate. We need to abide by our values and principles, not allowing ourselves to be herded as sheep by the opinions of the uneducated majority.

Answer 3

Principles and Norms plus Values.

Answer 4

Principles?
Imaginary Society says: "We have two principles that we steadfastly promote and adhere to: illusion and desire." I'm quoting that almost verbatim. So I guess maybe that counts. Are you talking about a lot of principles or only a few? And what are norms?

Answer 5

As long as they are not the norms of ninjas. I don't trust those guys.
b

Answer 6

none of the above, i abide by what is good for ME at the time.

Answer 7

I do so every day.

Answer 8

We already do...........