“Say not, 'I have found the truth,' but rather, 'I have found a truth.' “ Khalil Gibran - The Prophet
“A frequent recurrence to fundamental principles ... is absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty and keep a government free.” Benjamin Franklin
"The danger to which the success of revolutions is most exposed, is that of attempting them before the principles on which they proceed, and the advantages to result from them, are sufficiently seen and understood." -- Thomas Paine (1737-1809) US Founding father, pamphleteer, author
Fundamental principle (noun) - principles from which other truths can be derived; "first you must learn the fundamentals"; "let's get down to basics" Bedrock principle - a basic truth or law or assumption;
The greatest speech in American history may be The Gettysburg Address. It begins with it’s author referring to the fundamental principle used in the creation of our nation “all men are created equal”. He was not referring to the U.S. Constitution. “Four Score and Seven years ago” referred to the Declaration of Independence. He did NOT say ‘all Americans men’ are created equal.
Even more important… his conclusion declared that “the great task remaining before us” is “that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom…”. He did NOT say ‘this’ government. He said, “that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”
In saying “that government” suggests the great value and power of “We the people” having agency in the creation and implementation of any government we decide to live under. Is this agency a fundamental principle? It is, but only valuable if virtuously applied can it ensure the fundamental principle of human freedom.
Thomas Paine in his “Common Sense” pamphlet wrote that the only legitimate purpose of government is protecting human freedom and security. He never mentions national sovereignty which is the freedom of nations to ignore fundamental human rights and the environment upon which all life depends. The consistent protection of these rights are vital globally if the systems we have created are to be effectively and sustainably managed in human affairs…with the “government” system…“of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.”
Freedom is the first fundamental principle of life. We are free to think, say, and do whatever we want. The 2nd FP is there will always be consequences to freedom. This FP is inseparable from the first. The 3rd FP. To sustain humanities maximum freedom and security — we must be aware, responsible, virtuous, and accountable for how we and our government use our individual freedoms and our national sovereignty.
4th FP: Justice for all. The Magna Carta is one of the most famous documents in history. It was established in 1215 by King John of England as a practical solution to the political crisis he faced then. “The Great Charter or Charter of Liberties” recognized the fundamental principle that everybody, even the king, was subject to the law.
5FP: A child should not die before their parents. The fundamental purpose of life it so procreate. Any human activity that limits the freedom of a couple determined to accomplish this is in violation of nature’s law.
6th FP: If the conditions that one lives in is unlivable (an imminent mortal danger or threat) then those threatened have the fundamental right to move away from those conditions- or correct them. And even correct those who are responsible for creating such conditions.
7th FP: Security is not a function of strength or disarmament. It is a function of liberty and justice for all created with virtuous acts consistent with “the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God”.
8th FP: All living things have two basic drives. The survive and thrive.
9th FP: The human mind evolved as a problem solving tool. Using it to defend flawed concepts in an era of unprecedented killing capacity is species suicide. Anything other than abiding by the Golden Rule moves us closer to chaos that will not end well.
10th FP: Our immune system protects us from most natural lethal forces. To the degree we harm it by the things we put into our bodies or harm things around us, is the degree to which our mind has failed it primary function.
11th FP: Humans may learn best from stories. But unless we learn and apply objective Truths rather than defending personal or political truths that we acquire from others or creative thoughts, do not expect things to work well for very long.
SUMMARY: Everything is connected, interdependent, and vulnerable. Absent a global system of accountability - any attempt to maximize human freedom and security for all - will be limited. cw
"Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of freemen. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles." -- Patrick Henry (1736-1799) US Founding Father Source: Attributed - no source found.
Temporary deviations from fundamental principles are always more or less dangerous. When the first pretext fails, those who become interested in prolonging the evil will rarely be at a loss for other pretexts. The first precedent too familiarizes the people to the irregularity, lessens their veneration for those fundamental principles, & makes them a more easy prey to Ambition and self Interest. – James Madison, Letter to Caleb Wallace [1785]
"That frequent recurrence to fundamental principles, and a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, industry and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the blessings of liberty, and keep government free. The people ought, therefore, to pay particular attention to these points, in the choice of officers and representatives, and have a right to exact a due and constant regard to them, from their legislators and magistrates, in the making and executing such laws as are necessary for the good government of the State." -- Vermont Declaration of Rights Source: Article 16
"If liberty is worth keeping and free representative government worth saving, we must stand for all American fundamentals—not some, but all. All are woven into the great fabric of our national well-being. We cannot hold fast to some only, and abandon others that, for the moment, we find inconvenient. If one American fundamental is prostrated, others in the end will surely fall." -- Albert J. Beveridge (1862-1927) American historian, US Senator (R-IN) 1920
"A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself." -- C. S. Lewis (1898-1963), British novelist
"Many Americans hunger for a different kind of society -- one based on principles of caring, ethical and spiritual sensitivity, and communal solidarity. Their need for meaning is just as intense as their need for economic security." - Michael Lerner, journalist
"And this I must fight against: any idea, religion or government which limits or destroys the individual. This is what I am and what I am about. I can understand why a system built on a pattern must try to destroy the free mind, for this is the one thing which can by inspection destroy such a system."
-- John Steinbeck (1902-1968) Author, Nobel laureate. Source: East of Eden, 1952
"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." - Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)
“That no free government, or the blessing of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue, and by frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.” George Mason, Virginia Declaration of Rights [1776]
"Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of freemen. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles."
-- Patrick Henry (1736-1799) US Founding Father Source: Attributed - no source found.
Temporary deviations from fundamental principles are always more or less dangerous. When the first pretext fails, those who become interested in prolonging the evil will rarely be at a loss for other pretexts. The first precedent too familiarizes the people to the irregularity, lessens their veneration for those fundamental principles, & makes them a more easy prey to Ambition and self Interest. – James Madison, Letter to Caleb Wallace [August 23, 1785]
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty. There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration of virtue. These amiable passions, are the "latent spark"… If the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling the differences between true and false, right and wrong, virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?" -- John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President. Source: the Novanglus, 1775 (also under freedom)
Without religion, I believe that learning does real mischief to the morals and principles of mankind. Benjamin Rush
"A frequent recurrence to the fundamental principles of the constitution, and a
constant adherence to those of piety, justice, moderation, temperance, industry
and frugality, are absolutely necessary to preserve the advantages of liberty,
and to maintain a free government." -- Massachusetts Bill of Rights 1780
A thing moderately good is not so good as it ought to be. Moderation in temper is always a virtue, but moderation in principle is always a vice. – Thomas Paine, The Rights of Man [1791]
"The deterioration of every government begins with the decay of the principles on which it was founded." -- Charles-Louis De Secondat (1689-1755) Baron de Montesquieu
Source: The Spirit of the Laws, 1748
Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone. – John Quincy Adams
"The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing." -- Steven R. Covey
Reason and Ignorance, the opposites of each other, influence the great bulk of mankind. If either of these can be rendered sufficiently extensive in a country, the machinery of Government goes easily on. Reason obeys itself; and Ignorance submits to whatever is dictated to it. – Thomas Paine, Rights of Man [1791]
"If we work in marble, it will perish; if we work upon brass, time will efface it; if we rear temples, they will crumble into dust; but if we work upon immortal minds and instill into them just principles, we are then engraving upon tablets which no time will efface, but will brighten and brighten to all eternity": Daniel Webster
"Not until right is founded upon reverence will it be secure;
not until duty is based upon love will it be complete;
not until liberty is based on eternal principles
will it be full, equal, lofty, and universal." -- Henry Giles (1809-1882)
“What experience and history teach us is this—that people and governments never have learned anything from history, or acted on principles deduced from it.” Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770-1831)
"That principle is, that the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of action of any of their number, is self-protection. That the only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm to others. His own good, either physical or moral, is not sufficient warrant."
-- John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) English philosopher and economist Source: John Stuart Mill, On Liberty (1859)
"History has taught us time and again that political power always raises its angry fist when timeless principles are lost. We know that without the scale of "self-evident truths" grounded in the "laws of nature and nature's God," every culture eventually finds itself subject to the rule of the gang or the tyranny of the individual. Recognizing this, scholars of all ages have confidently given their hearts and minds to the words, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." -- Everett Piper, President of Oklahoma Wesleyan University Source: 'Bethlehem, Not Berkeley, Is the Birthplace of Free Speech,' The Christian Post, Apr 27, 2017
"There are many men of principle in both parties in America, but there is no party of principle."
-- Alexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) French historian
"If liberty is worth keeping and free representative government worth saving, we must stand for all American fundamentals—not some, but all. All are woven into the great fabric of our national well-being. We cannot hold fast to some only, and abandon others that, for the moment, we find inconvenient. If one American fundamental is prostrated, others in the end will surely fall."
-- Albert J. Beveridge (1862-1927) American historian, US Senator (R-IN) 1920
"Human nature itself is evermore an advocate for liberty. There is also in human nature a resentment of injury, and indignation against wrong. A love of truth and a veneration of virtue. These amiable passions, are the "latent spark"… If the people are capable of understanding, seeing and feeling the differences between true and false, right and wrong, virtue and vice, to what better principle can the friends of mankind apply than to the sense of this difference?"
-- John Adams (1735-1826) Founding Father, 2nd US President Source: the Novanglus, 1775
Another idealists founding quote for justice...truth (self evident?) and best principle...
"A greater principle is at stake than the fate of any particular president." -- Benjamin Curtis
(1809-1874) Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court Source: Dissenting in Dred Scott v. Sandford, 60 U.S. (19 How.) 393 (1857).
"You want sanity, democracy, community, an intact Earth? We can't get there obeying Constitutional theory and law crafted by slave masters, imperialists, corporate masters, and Nature destroyers. We can't get there kneeling before robed lawyers stockpiling class plunder precedent up their venerable sleeves. So isn't disobedience the challenge of our age? Principled, inventive, escalating disobedience to liberate our souls, to transfigure our work as humans on this Earth." Richard Grossman
"If the citizens neglect their Duty and place unprincipled men in office, the government will soon be corrupted; laws will be made, not for the public good so much as for selfish or local purposes; corrupt or incompetent men will be appointed to execute the Laws; the public revenues will be squandered on unworthy men; and the rights of the citizen will be violated or disregarded." Noah Webster (1758-1843)
"Only reason can convince us of those three fundamental truths: without a recognition of which there can be no effective liberty: That what we believe is not necessarily true; that what we like is not necessarily good; and that all questions are open." - -- Clive Bell - (1881-1964) - Source: Civilization, 1928
"Most new insights come only after a superabundant accumulation of facts have removed the blindness which prevented us from seeing what later comes to be regarded as obvious." -- Isidor Issac Rabi (1898-1988) Galician-born American physicist, 1944 Nobel laureate for his discovery of nuclear magnetic resonance
"Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles" Ralph Waldo Emerson
"No legal plunder: This is the principle of justice, peace, order, stability, harmony, and logic. Until the day of my death, I shall proclaim this principle with all the force of my lungs (which alas! is all too inadequate)." Frederic Bastiat Source: his book The Law 1850
"A person will worship something, have no doubt about that. We may think our tribute is paid in secret in the dark recesses of our hearts, but it will out. That which dominates our imaginations and our thoughts will determine our lives, and our character. Therefore, it behooves us to be careful what we worship, for what we are worshiping we are becoming: - "Ralph Waldo Emerson.
"There can be no compromise on basic principles.
There can be no compromise on moral issues.
There can be no compromise on matters of knowledge,
of truth, of rational conviction." -- Ayn Rand
"In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate -- look at his character. It is alleged by men of loose principles, or defective views of the subject, that religion and morality are not necessary or important qualifications for political stations. But the scriptures teach a different doctrine. They direct that rulers should be men who rule in the fear of God, men of truth, hating covetousness. It is to the neglect of this rule that we must ascribe the multiplied frauds, breaches of trust, speculations and embezzlements of public property which astonish even ourselves; which tarnish the character of our country and which disgrace our government. When a citizen gives his vote to a man of known immorality, he abuses his civic responsibility; he not only sacrifices his own responsibility; he sacrifices not only his own interest, but that of his neighbor; he betrays the interest of his country." -- Noah Webster
(1758-1843) American patriot and scholar, author of the first dictionary of American English usage (1806) and the author of the 1828 edition of the dictionary that bears his name.
"No government is respectable which is not just. Without unspotted purity of public faith, without sacred public principle, fidelity, and honor, no machinery of laws, can give dignity to political society."
-- Daniel Webster (1782-1852) US Senator.
"Governments have never learned anything from history, or acted on principles deducted from it." - Friedrich Hebbel, German poet and dramatist
"Bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression." -- Thomas Jefferson Source: First Inaugural Address, 4 March 1801
Moral universalism (also called moral objectivism) is the meta-ethical position that some system of ethics, or a universal ethic, applies universally, that is, for "all similarly situated individuals", regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, or any other distinguishing feature.
Ethical universalism is a concept in which the ethical implications of an action applies universally to anyone, regardless of circumstance. To summarize, the end justifies the means. Examples of pseudo-universally wrong actions: murder, rape, torture.
Moral universalism is the position in meta-ethics that some moral values, or moral system, can be applied universally to everyone — or at least everyone in similar circumstances. It is also known as universal morality, moderate moral realism or minimal moral realism, and is a form of ethical objectivism.
Moral universalism holds that moral values apply to individuals regardless of their personal opinion, or the majority opinion of their culture. Other characteristics such as religion, race or gender are also excluded from moral judgements.
Moral universalism does not neccessarily imply that morals exist apart from humanity itself, but considers sources of morality outside of opinion. Universal truths about human nature and/or reason may come into play as reasons for the universality and objectivism of morality.
Moral realism and moral absolutism are strong forms of universalism. Realism is stronger in that it holds that moral truths are real in the same sense that other truths, such as those about the physical world, are real, while absolutism holds that moral and immoral acts are always so regardless of context.
Fundamental Principles vs Alternative Principles
Fundamental principles are laws that when violated lead to undesirable consequences, chaos, suffering, or an unsustainable existence.
Alternative Principles are more like good ideas that we humans create use to make our own laws with confidence they will work consistently. The rarely work long and even more rarely work sustainability.
Fundamental Principles (These fall into two basic categories)
1. The Laws of Nature: Gravity. Speed of light. Entropy. Change. Competition. Adapt to thrive and survive. Prevention is cheaper than reactionary policy. Peace is a function of justice, not armaments or disarmament. People want to maximize their freedom and security. Nothing is independent of everything else. The world is interdependent. Everything in the universe consists of systems, structures and fundamental principles - except most political ideologies, human laws, and public policies.
2. The Laws of Nature’s God: Justice, Unity, Love/stewardship of all creation. Responsibility. Accountability. Individual Sovereignty. Freedom and inalienable rights are gifts from Nature’s God-- not determined by government decree. A child should not die before their parents. Justice for all or security for none.
“And reason teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions.” John Locke
Alternative Principles: Principles creatively conceived by human minds that are the basis of most flawed human laws. Peace through Strength. Might makes right. MAD will keep us safe. Democracy works. Capitalism works. The market will solve the problem. A federation ensures peace. Everyone wants peace! Nations are independent. National Sovereignty can protect us. America First! Love is all you need. Non-violence is the answer. We are the greatest nation on earth. The US Constitution is our best means of protecting our freedom and security. Preserving our national sovereignty is our best means of protecting our freedom and security.
"The great ideals of liberty and equality are preserved against the assaults of opportunism, the expediency of the passing hour, the erosion of small encroachments, the scorn and derision of those who have no patience with general principles." -- Justice Benjamin Cardozo (1870-1938) U.S. Supreme Court Justice. Source: Nature of Judicial Process, 1921
Human laws fall into five basic categories. 1) Laws that are just, enforceable, and applied equally to all. 2) Laws that are just but enforced unevenly. 3) Laws that are enforceable, unjust, and thus invalid. 4) Laws that are not enforceable (International law and rules with no relevant application - like the law of unintended consequences?) 5) Laws that are created democratically, enforceable, applied equally to all, and protective of fundamental inalienable human rights.
"The study of history is a powerful antidote to contemporary arrogance. It is humbling to discover how many of our glib assumptions, which seem to us novel and plausible, have been tested before, not once but many times and in innumerable guises; and discovered to be, at great human cost, wholly false." - Paul Johnson
Putting multiple ‘principles’ together can help create something close to a fundamental principle. Like the four basic principles the US military claims to use that could be the best means of achieving a functional defense against most threats.
1. Global surveillance (early detection)
2. Rapid response.
3. R&D (know what you are dealing with and now best to deal with it).
4. Prevention. Do what’s possible to keep it from becoming a threat.
Governance philosophers would be unwise to challenge any of these four fundamental principles underlying human sustainability.
1. Justice for all or security for none. This is a fundamental principle of the interdependent world we have today. It is a world where billions of people struggle to live with injustices that threaten the security of all. Regimes that are repressive, debilitating, or lethal rule over hundreds of millions of people who are unable to feed their children or save them from easily preventable infectious diseases. Hundreds of millions are beaten, imprisoned or murdered for resisting government oppression. Or they are forced to leave their homes to avoid it. Millions more are underpaid to boost business owners profits or share holders earnings. Millions are driven from the family farms by drought or flood, or lose their homes from fire or recession. Millions more are racially, religiously, ethically or sexually discriminated against. Hundreds of millions are illiterate while millions more are grossly ignorant about the fundamental civilized nature of their cherished religious faith — or are so mentally imbalanced by hate or ideology that they offer their lives as suicide bombers or unquestioning soldiers.
With the lethal threats of war, genocide, poverty, disease and ignorance persistently creating this multitude of disgruntled souls is it rational to believe we will remain safe and secure in a world with increasing access to affordable dual use technologies that are each capable of creating IEDs, mass chaos, or lethal WMD capacity?
2. Parenting: A child should not die before their parents. The loss of a child, or even the fear of losing one is the most horrific of all human experiences. Cultures that sacrifice their young to unworthy causes before their offspring have a chance to procreate only increase the probability of ending their genetic and cultural lineage. Parents willing to sacrifice their own life or comforts for the worthy cause of defending humanities freedom and security can increase the probability that their lineage and their culture will be sustained.
3. Humanity: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all people are created equal and endowed at their creation with certain inalienable rights and among these is the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of health & justice for all.
4. Everything: In the words of US CISA Director, our newest US federal agency “Everything is connected, everything is interdependent, so everything is vulnerable.... And that’s why this has to be a more than whole of government, a more than whole of nation [effort]. It really has to be a global effort....” Jen Easterly, Director of Cyber & Infrastructure Security Agency, Oct. 29, 2021.
“If you know, come forth and speak.” In an Igbo ancestral tribe language in southeastern Nigeria “Onyemalukwube” means this.
In Partisan Politics how can you tell if a politician is lying? If their mouth is moving.
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The seven “Fundamental Principles” of the Red Cross Red Crescent Movement. These appear to exhibit some conflicting values and practices that are unsustainable. If under closer analysis this assertion proves true, they should be reduced to simple principles…and not fundamental principles. http://www.ifrc.org/who-we-are/vision-and-mission/the-seven-fundamental-principles/
Four fundamental ethical principles (a very simple introduction) : http://web.mnstate.edu/gracyk/index.htm
Minnesota State University Moorhead | 1104 7th Ave South | Moorhead, MN 56563 USA | 1.800.593.7246
The Principle of Respect for autonomy: Autonomy is Latin for "self-rule" We have an obligation to respect the autonomy of other persons, which is to respect the decisions made by other people concerning their own lives. This is also called the principle of human dignity. It gives us a negative duty not to interfere with the decisions of competent adults, and a positive duty to empower others for whom we’re responsible.
Corollary principles: honesty in our dealings with others & obligation to keep promises.
The Principle of Beneficence: We have an obligation to bring about good in all our actions.
Corollary principle? We must take positive steps to prevent harm. However, adopting this corollary principle frequently places us in direct conflict with respecting the autonomy of other persons.
The Principle of nonmaleficence: (It is not "non-malfeasance," which is a technical legal term, & it is not "nonmalevolence," which means that one did not intend to harm.) We have an obligation not to harm others: "First, do no harm."
Corollary principle: Where harm cannot be avoided, we are obligated to minimize the harm we do.
Corollary principle: Don't increase the risk of harm to others.
Corollary principle: It is wrong to waste resources that could be used for good.
Combining beneficence and nonaleficence: Each action must produce more good than harm.
The Principle of justice: We have an obligation to provide others with whatever they are owed or deserve. In public life, we have an obligation to treat all people equally, fairly, and impartially.
Corollary principle: Impose no unfair burdens. Combining beneficence and justice: We are obligated to work for the benefit of those who are unfairly treated.
UNESCO: Fundamental Principles: The Constitution of UNESCO establishes certain fundamental principles such as: Principle of non-discrimination ; Equality of opportunity and treatment ; universal access to education ; Principle of solidarity.
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/education/themes/leading-the-international-agenda/right-to-education/normative-action/fundamental-principles/
Balance of Power (because power corrupts): No environment is static. “Balance” is a human concept that is scientifically tough to defend. Environments usually change gradually unless there is a human or natural catastrophic event. In most cases a general ‘balance’ in nature returns to a glacial pace of change. Human advancements in technologies and a disrespect for nature change this. And a consistent balance in power of our governing bodies is essential to sustaining a relatively balanced environment and human civilization.
