Difference between principle and law.

Law and principle are concepts that are sometimes very close to each other. But in most cases they correspond to different phenomena. How is this expressed?

What is the law?

First of all, it is worth noting that the law is a multivalued concept. There are laws of nature, physics, there are those that are adopted by the authorities. They are all fundamentally different from each other. But in a general sense, the term "law" can be understood as a certain rule (or their combination), affecting a certain area of ​​science or part of social processes and is the norm for these areas.

The main features of the law:

  • following it, observing its provisions;
  • predominantly practical orientation.

Compliance with the provisions of the law can be carried out for the reason that it is generally binding or normative - if it is a legal act that is adopted by the state. Adherence to its provisions is also factual (indisputable or unconditional) - if the law of nature or physics is considered.

Practical orientation in this case means the formation of norms based on real observation of the processes in the course of a scientific experiment or research of society. The law is based on the practical knowledge of the subject who develops or discovers it.

What is a principle?

Principle is also a multivalued concept. There are philosophical, legal and technological principles. Their essence is very different. But in a general sense, the term "principle" can be understood as a certain description (or their combination) of the processes observed in scientific research, in production, in society, in the economy, which does not contradict the essence of these processes and can reveal their details.

The main features of the principle:

  • it has a descriptive, non-normative character;
  • is largely theoretical orientation.

A principle is not a norm that must be followed by someone or that undeniably explains the course of any processes - as is the case with the law. The principle can also be practically oriented, but it often happens that when it is formed, not real observations are taken into account, but theoretical calculations, assumptions, and simulation results.

Comparison

The main difference between the principle and the law is that the first is descriptive, and the second is usually followed (or it is done in a natural way). Laws are mainly based on practice - the results of observation, experiment, analysis. The principles are largely based on theoretical approaches, but the practical aspect can be taken into account in their formation.

There is quite a lot in common between law and principle. Both reflect the attempts of scientists to generalize the patterns observed in the course of scientific observations or the study of social processes. Principles can underlie laws - and in some cases become them unchanged if the original theoretical assumptions are found to be correct enough to correspond to practical observation.

Having determined what is the difference between principle and law, let us fix its key criteria in the table.

Table

Law Principle
What do they have in common? ​​
Law and principle are the results of attempts by scientists or experts to generalize patterns observed in the course of a scientific experiment or in the study of social processes
Principles often become the basis of laws
What is the difference between them?
Assumes following it (either by virtue of its normative nature or in fact)Does not imply obligatory adherence to it, is descriptive
Based primarily on practiceBased largely on theoretical approaches
.