Principle Definition

“The community which has neither poverty nor riches will always have the noblest principles.” Plato (427 BC – 347 BC)

A principle is defined by the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary as “a fundamental truth or law as the basis of reasoning or action (argued from first principles; moral principles).” Morals are “concerned with goodness or badness of human character or behaviour, or with the distinction between right and wrong, concerned with accepted rules and standards of human behaviour.” Ethics are “a set of moral principles, rules of conduct”

What we are dealing with here is the understanding of a single individual’s ability to both interpret and translate his or her surrounding societal norms and accepted rules into a personal set of moral principles. Moral principles are by nature an extension of a person’s societal environment and as such are influenced by differing values, standards, and even truths. However it is that person’s aptitude to supersede their local societal values and standards that will establish a greater understanding of morality and principles that extend across all inhabitants of that person’s societal environment and not just their local conditioning.

Principles

The six principles stated below are representative of my personal beliefs, values and moral approach to judgement (i.e. decision making). However, as will be explored below, these principles are inextricably linked to my educational, societal, and environmental development and as such are a perceived reality. Every input into the development of my current self holds significant influence on my current perception of beliefs, values and moral judgement.

1. Total Fairness and Equality

Every human being is born with equal rights to welfare, liberty, and basic human right. With these rights come responsibility to be fulfilled equitably, engendering inter- and intra-generational equity.

This principle engenders intergenerational equity and intragenerational equity as there is no postulation of time constraint on the principle. The equitable distribution of equal rights to welfare, devoid of time constraint, implies environmental preservation for the purpose of maintaining capacity to provide ongoing human welfare. This is an anthropocentric viewpoint but does not diminish the responsibility of current generations to preserve the environment at a capacity that does not undermine its ability to provide ongoing capacity to provide equitable welfare.

Instilled in the principle of equality are based the values of Article 2 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that entitlement of this principle is “without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.”[1] In cases of inequalities of men and women, empowerment of the disadvantaged should be established, whether of men or women.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is by looking to empower the needs and capabilities of all who surround me, whether disadvantaged or advantaged, whether female or male, whether educated or not, regardless of internal or external differentiations. In order to pursuit the boundaries of equality I embrace equity, and division of responsibility free from bias, prejudice, stereotyping or discrimination. Instead I realise the diversity of capability and the realities of comparative advantage (e.g. I have more upper body strength, and my co-worker has more lateral thinking capacity. I will provide more physical support; she or he will provide more mental support).

“I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.” Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 – 1968)

2. Biodiversity

Everyone has the right to the equitable distribution of benefits arising from the utilisation of natural resource.

This principle provides an extension to the basic human right to ongoing welfare established in the first principle. Although the first principle establishes the need to maintain environmental capacity to provide ongoing human welfare, it does not encapsulate the intrinsic value of biological diversity. Inter- and intra-generational equity is incorporated to signify the long-term and systemic nature of environmental degradation and its affects over time.

The benefits associated with natural resource and biodiversity are encapsulated within the Preamble to the Convention on Biological Diversity as “ecological, genetic, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational, and aesthetic...”[2] For every modern comprehension of the value of natural resource, and for every yet undiscovered value of natural resource, the preservation of biodiversity is of fundamental importance to the anthropocentric society within which we live.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is two-fold. In the first regard I look to minimize my negative environmental footprint by means such as; recycling, minimization of use of fossil fuels, energy conservation, conscious purchase choice (i.e. locally grown, seasonal produce), halving meat consumption and the replacement of beef consumption with more environmentally sustainable meat, etc. In the second regard I look to maximise my positive environmental footprint by means such as the establishment of native plant life, providing assistance to programs and organisations serving the needs of the environment, the support of search for scientific truths pertaining to the natural world, pursuit of sustainable career and business choices, etc.

3. Pursuit of Knowledge

Everyone has the right to freedom of information, the pursuit of knowledge and public participation in decision making.

This principle is a derivation of the Aarhus Convention, stating the right to “access to information, public participation in decision-making, and access to justice in environmental matters”[3]. The predominant difference is the exclusion of the right to justice (discussed in the Areas of Improvement Section) and the inclusion of the right to the pursuit of knowledge. The inclusion of the pursuit of knowledge principle is attributed to the common internationally recognised principles of innovation and creativity. Although the traits “innovation” and “creativity” are key aspects of problem-solution processes these traits must also be framed within knowledge and understanding. In order to apply an appropriate and sustainable response to an issue, a macro-environmental understanding of all components of that issue must be addressed. This approach potentially neglects the Precautionary Principle (discussed in the Areas of Improvement Section) but frames decision-making in accountability and comprehension.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is the pursuit of knowledge, education, innovation, critical thinking, problem-solving, systems thinking, total quality management, and continual self-improvement, for the purpose of myself and those around me. My education will never cease, I will never be contented by a part-response, or by a half-measures. All stated principles are framed by awareness and applied with understanding.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them." Albert Einstein (1879 – 1955)

4. Life Management

Everyone has the right to pursuit their own path in life, just soever as that pursuit does not interfere with principle one and two.

The Life Management principle is an extension of the first principle. This principle embellishes what is defined as basic human rights. From birth humans are thrust into choice about how their physiological self responds to the stimuli presented. Initially the response to stimuli is completely hardwired (i.e. recoil from pain, necessity for nurture), however over time the response is socially conditioned by family, friends, and societal influences (i.e. language, education, culture, politics, business, etc). Behind this social conditioning still lies the innate choice of response. The life management principle establishes the responsibility of acceptance of others. That the choice of how one person lives her or his life is entirely independent and personal.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is two-fold. Firstly the alleviation of expectation of others, what another person does with themselves is their choice, just as long as it does not interfere with my right to principle one and two. The second application influences my choice to live my life the way that I personally choose to (i.e. the independence of myself from some and interdependence of myself with others). I apply a three tiered approach to life management; one – family and friends, two – community and environmental surrounds, three – macro environment. Each of these tiers have differing importance in my life however are all connected by similarities; I care deeply for the needs of my family and friends; but also for the state of the macro-environment in order to facilitate the rights of welfare and biodiversity established in principle one and two.

“I have frequently been questioned, especially by women, of how I could reconcile family life with a scientific career. Well, it has not been easy.” Marie Curie (1867 – 1934)

5. Accessibility, communication and dialogue

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, speech and capability to communicate opinion.

This principle is an extension of principles three and four whereby every human *1500 words* has the right to access information, pursue knowledge and their own path in life. Every human has the right to access the public dialogue, to formulate their own thoughts, and the opportunity to influence public decision-making. The purpose of the principle is to free bias from dialogue in order to increase open-mindedness. A mind that is free from bias and open to possibility is better equipped to manage diverse and complex issues with flexible forward-thinking responsiveness rather than insular narrow-minded repetition. By providing appropriate forums for the two way communication of members of society and heads of society, heads of society can better represent and reflect the needs of that society.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is the establishment of effectual communication practices that necessitate productive information transfers. In a situation where the valued opinion of one person is being suppressed by another, I would adhere to this principle by facilitating the equalisation of the terms of communication. This includes communication between others, and between myself and others. A form of transparency and dialogue that I wish to establish to drive this principle is the formation of a website with two way communication capacity.

“The problem with communication is the illusion that is has occurred.” George Bernard Shaw (1856 – 1950)

6. Leadership by introspection and extrospection.

Every person has a responsibility as a member of social entity to consider and act upon the needs of themselves within the construct of the needs of the many.

This principle establishes the responsibilities of all individuals within society with respect to all principles stated above. Although all rights recognized above should be automatically inherited, so should the responsibilities that are attached to those rights. The withdrawal of any aspect of responsibility to the welfare of others rights surrounding an individual also withdraws upon the rights of that individual. This empowers those who act upon the needs of the many and rebukes those who act upon the needs of the few. By introspective and extrospective interpretation individuals can inform their choices and afford themselves a socially framed but personal decision framework.

Interestingly economic theory opposes this, and despite our continued effort as a society to endow autonomy to the market place we are met with increasing social inequalities, and environmental degradation. Political leaders exert most of their time and authority repairing the social and environmental bonds caused by present-value maximisation.

The application of this principle on my decision-making process is the application of thought on personal and practical applications of decision-making. The intrinsic and extrinsic re-evaluation of consumer purchase behaviour, of life path choice, of time and effort management, offers alternatives to current behaviour. Alternatives provide choice, and choice provides opportunities for improvement. An example includes produce purchase where I have informed myself on the moral, social and environmental merits of locally sourced produce and as such have alternative consumer purchase behaviour.

"The era of procrastination, of half-measures, of soothing and baffling expedients, of delays, is coming to a close. In its place we are entering a period of consequences..." Winston Churchill (1874 – 1965).

Areas of Improvement

Described in the beginning are innate limitations to personal capability by social conditioning, educational constraints, and perception. Although a list of certain constraints to my comprehension of society is elected below I largely am oblivious; and unless I increase my capacity for comprehension these constraints will remain stagnant. Elected below are several identified limitations to the principles provided along with an explanation why these are not incorporated into the body of the principles.

Indigenous Communities – Although I have an appreciation of indigenous communities and their rights and roles I have neither a comprehensive understanding nor a direct connection via experience with these communities. I reserve the acknowledgement of indigenous communities from my personal principles until I have personally achieved a greater appreciation through direct interaction and education.

Precautionary Principle – Inherently the precautionary principle is a component of principles two, three and six however my mentality has always been limited by caution. I must adopt a more proactive approach beyond explanation before I can systemically incorporate the precautionary principle on its own right.

Justice – similarly to the role of indigenous communities, I have an under appreciation of the role of justice. I’ve never had a direct connection with the application of justice or potentially more importantly felt abandonment of access to justice. Until I have gained a greater perspective on justice and its application I reserve justice from my principles.

Anthropocentric viewpoint – The principles stated above are largely based on human interaction and consequence. The methodology, analysis and formatting of this essay and its principles are based on socially bound educational expression. My inherent responsibility is to human society and as such is by nature anthropocentric. Though I seek to attain environmental illumination I am bound by perception and ravaged by prejudice.

Conclusion

Integrity is defined by the Australian Concise Oxford Dictionary as “moral uprightness; honesty. Wholeness; soundness.” I define Integrity as “an individual’s capacity to fulfil their moral objectives.” By the explicit formation and implicit comprehension of a base set of principles we look to create a set of rules of conduct by which we operate and by which informs our decision-making process. The exploration of the depths of understanding, of limitations, and of pursuits of choice, searches for transparency of moral ambiguity. The stated principles are by nature anthropocentric and limited; however by the formation of a base set of principles we can achieve an understanding of rules and standards. This presents a basis for reasoning or action, a starting point of common understanding, and of a platform from which we can expand and achieve more.

“How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortunes of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.” Adam Smith (1723 – 1790)

Total Word Count: 2492

References

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[1] The United Nations (1948) “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights” http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml Accessed 28/08/11.

[2] The United Nations (1992) “Convention on Biological Diversity” http://www.cbd.int/doc/legal/cbd-en.pdf Accessed 01/09/11. Accessed 28/08/11.

[3] United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (1998) “Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters.” http://live.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/env/pp/documents/cep43e.pdf Accessed 04/09/11.

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Principles and Prejudice