In our ongoing discussion of principles and values occasionally we end up addressing the topic of adherence to one’s principles and values.
This is of great interest to me because here in the United States of America one finds that principles of convenience are rife. This is revealed through action, or lack of action. The actions one takes tells the true story of principle and value.
When one trumpets adhering to a principle, but then fails to uphold that principle through action, then one is practicing principle of convenience. That is to say that this is not principle at all but a fawning of value upon concepts one has no intent to uphold. Worthless really, pointless, and in some circumstances damaging.
Which brings me to this post, principle without opposition. These core values built on shared principles are tested at times, and our choice is to uphold or fold. The USA chose to uphold in the face of tyranny at its birth. This was not convenient, unlawful, certainly was heavily opposed, and punishable by death. Yet they carried on…
Principle without opposition is easy, and not principle at all.
Yeah, there were some great and courageous revolutionaries who stood behind their principles. And there were people who liked the convenience of not paying taxes for certain things. Sometimes I like the whole Eastern model that tries to avoid the rigidity or absolute abstract rules.
I don’t think this is an especially good example, but I don’t have a lot of sympathy for philanderers. I think you should stay faithful or get divorced, or else you are unprincipled. But I would consider MLK a courageous, moral individual. Who cheated on his wife.