In Defense of Principle

As long as debate focuses on variables and shallow misgivings there cannot be honest discourse. These types of arguments usually rely on spin and resort to ad hominem, in place of honest and open understanding of issues and problems.

Principles have the unique advantage of transcending time and events to explore the root and basic understanding of issues and events. Anyone can interpret any event in any way, and a clever presenter can seemingly prove it through deception, whether intentional or not. To focus on the principle understanding of an issue is to take away all the spin and interpretation, and to look at it for what it is.

Take, for instance, the issue of universal health care. Any and every human being deserves the right, as long as its technologically available, to good health and the ability to see a doctor when sick, regardless of wealth or social status. To disregard this basic human need, on principle, seems disgustingly selfish and cold-hearted. Unfortunately, public debate on this issue is usually reserved for the financial underpinnings, whether fair or unfair, and other shallow and ridiculous interpretations rather than honest, principled debate.

A position is only as strong as the logic that holds it together. Shallow positions deserve only shallow reflection.