For the term in chemistry, see principle (chemistry).

A principle (not principal) is something, usually a rule or norm, that is part of the basis for something else. For example, the ethics of someone may be seen as a set of principles that the individual obeys. These principles form the basis for their ethics.

Principles may also be introduced as pedagogy: laying down basics in a topic, in order later to proceed to more detailed developments.

Identifying or defining a rule as a principle says that, for the purpose at hand, the principle will not be questioned or further derived. This is a convenient way of reducing the complexity of an argumentation.

See also

• principled approach
• Law (principle)
• principle

Princip | Princip | Grundsatz | Principio | Principe | 原理 | Принцип | Principle | Princíp | Prinsiippi | Princip