Belief vs. Principle — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 9, 2024
Beliefs are personal or communal convictions held to be true, whereas principles are foundational rules or accepted standards guiding behavior and decision-making.
Difference Between Belief and Principle
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Beliefs encompass a broad range of convictions, from religious or spiritual understandings to trust in scientific theories or personal assumptions about life. They form the core of individual or cultural identity and can influence thoughts and actions. In contrast, principles are more concrete, often serving as moral, ethical, or professional guidelines that dictate how to act in various situations.
While beliefs are inherently subjective, shaped by personal experiences, education, and cultural background, principles tend to have a more universal or widely accepted nature, often upheld across different societies and cultures. For example, fairness and honesty are principles that are generally revered in many cultures.
Beliefs can be deeply personal and may not necessarily require logical proof or external validation, existing more so within the emotional or spiritual realms of individuals. Principles, however, are typically grounded in reason and ethical consensus, providing a framework for behavior that is ideally independent of personal feelings.
The function of beliefs is largely to provide meaning and understanding of the world and oneself, potentially offering comfort or motivation. Principles function as standards for behavior, helping individuals and societies maintain consistency and integrity in actions.
Individuals can hold beliefs that are contrary to popular opinion or scientific evidence without much consequence, as beliefs are personal. However, deviating from established principles, especially in professional or public contexts, can lead to ethical dilemmas and legal issues.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Subjective, personal conviction.
Objective, standard guideline.
Foundation
Personal experience, culture.
Moral, ethical, or professional consensus.
Flexibility
Can change with new experiences or insights.
Generally stable and universally upheld.
Purpose
Provides meaning, comfort, or motivation.
Guides ethical or consistent behavior.
Requirement of Validation
No requirement for external validation.
Often requires logical justification and acceptance.
Compare with Definitions
Belief
A personal conviction or acceptance that certain ideas or facts are true.
He held a strong belief in the power of education to change lives.
Principle
A fundamental truth or proposition serving as the foundation for a system of belief or behavior.
The principle of justice guides legal systems worldwide.
Belief
Can be based on faith, tradition, or personal insight.
Her belief in the afterlife comforted her during tough times.
Principle
Provides a stable basis for laws and social norms.
Democratic principles influence many governmental policies and practices.
Belief
May exist without rational proof or scientific evidence.
Despite lack of evidence, some people's belief in mythical creatures persists.
Principle
Serves as a guide for correct and moral conduct.
Honesty is a principle that she upheld in all her business dealings.
Belief
Influences how an individual perceives the world and acts.
His beliefs about hard work and success drove him to work tirelessly.
Principle
Often involves ethical or moral standards accepted by a group.
Professional principles dictate fair and respectful treatment of all employees.
Belief
Varies widely between different individuals and cultures.
The cultural belief in communal living shapes social interactions in many societies.
Principle
Requires some level of universal agreement or acceptance.
The principle of equality is recognized in many human rights declarations.
Belief
A belief is an attitude that something is the case, or that some proposition about the world is true. In epistemology, philosophers use the term "belief" to refer to attitudes about the world which can be either true or false.
Principle
A principle is a proposition or value that is a guide for behavior or evaluation. In law, it is a rule that has to be or usually is to be followed.
Belief
The mental act, condition, or habit of placing trust or confidence in another
My belief in you is as strong as ever.
Principle
A fundamental truth or proposition that serves as the foundation for a system of belief or behaviour or for a chain of reasoning
The basic principles of justice
Belief
Mental acceptance of and conviction in the truth, actuality, or validity of something
His explanation of what happened defies belief.
Principle
A general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.
Belief
Something believed or accepted as true, especially a particular tenet or a body of tenets accepted by a group of persons.
Principle
A fundamental source or basis of something
The first principle of all things was water
Belief
Mental acceptance of a claim as true.
It's my belief that the thief is somebody known to us.
Principle
A basic truth, law, or assumption
The principles of democracy.
Belief
Faith or trust in the reality of something; often based upon one's own reasoning, trust in a claim, desire of actuality, and/or evidence considered.
My belief is that there is a bear in the woods. Bill said he saw one.
Based on this data, it is our belief that X does not occur.
Principle
A rule or standard, especially of good behavior
A man of principle.
Belief
(countable) Something believed.
The ancient people have a belief in many deities.
Principle
The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments
A decision based on principle rather than expediency.
Belief
(uncountable) The quality or state of believing.
My belief that it will rain tomorrow is strong.
Principle
A fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action.
Belief
(uncountable) Religious faith.
She often said it was her belief that carried her through the hard times.
Principle
A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior
The principle of self-preservation.
Belief
(in the plural) One's religious or moral convictions.
I can't do that. It's against my beliefs.
Principle
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes
The principle of jet propulsion.
Belief
Assent to a proposition or affirmation, or the acceptance of a fact, opinion, or assertion as real or true, without immediate personal knowledge; reliance upon word or testimony; partial or full assurance without positive knowledge or absolute certainty; persuasion; conviction; confidence; as, belief of a witness; the belief of our senses.
Belief admits of all degrees, from the slightest suspicion to the fullest assurance.
Principle
(Chemistry) One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.
Belief
A persuasion of the truths of religion; faith.
No man can attain [to] belief by the bare contemplation of heaven and earth.
Principle
A basic source. See Usage Note at principal.
Belief
The thing believed; the object of belief.
Superstitious prophecies are not only the belief of fools, but the talk sometimes of wise men.
Principle
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
We need some sort of principles to reason from.
Belief
A tenet, or the body of tenets, held by the advocates of any class of views; doctrine; creed.
In the heat of persecution to which Christian belief was subject upon its first promulgation.
Principle
A rule used to choose among solutions to a problem.
The principle of least privilege holds that a process should only receive the permissions it needs.
Belief
Any cognitive content held as true
Principle
Moral rule or aspect.
I don't doubt your principles.
You are clearly a person of principle.
It's the principle of the thing; I won't do business with someone I can't trust.
Belief
A vague idea in which some confidence is placed;
His impression of her was favorable
What are your feelings about the crisis?
It strengthened my belief in his sincerity
I had a feeling that she was lying
Principle
(physics) A rule or law of nature, or the basic idea on how the laws of nature are applied.
Bernoulli's Principle
The Pauli Exclusion Principle prevents two fermions from occupying the same state.
The principle of the internal combustion engine
Principle
A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.
Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
Principle
An original faculty or endowment.
Principle
Misspelling of principal
Principle
(obsolete) A beginning.
Principle
(transitive) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.
Principle
Beginning; commencement.
Doubting sad end of principle unsound.
Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
The soul of man is an active principle.
Principle
An original faculty or endowment.
Nature in your principles hath set [benignity].
Those active principles whose direct and ultimate object is the communication either of enjoyment or suffering.
Principle
A fundamental truth; a comprehensive law or doctrine, from which others are derived, or on which others are founded; a general truth; an elementary proposition; a maxim; an axiom; a postulate.
Therefore, leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection.
A good principle, not rightly understood, may prove as hurtful as a bad.
Principle
A settled rule of action; a governing law of conduct; an opinion or belief which exercises a directing influence on the life and behavior; a rule (usually, a right rule) of conduct consistently directing one's actions; as, a person of no principle.
All kinds of dishonesty destroy our pretenses to an honest principle of mind.
Principle
Any original inherent constituent which characterizes a substance, or gives it its essential properties, and which can usually be separated by analysis; - applied especially to drugs, plant extracts, etc.
Cathartine is the bitter, purgative principle of senna.
Principle
To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet, or rule of conduct, good or ill.
Governors should be well principled.
Let an enthusiast be principled that he or his teacher is inspired.
Principle
A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct;
Their principles of composition characterized all their works
Principle
A rule or standard especially of good behavior;
A man of principle
He will not violate his principles
Principle
A basic truth or law or assumption;
The principles of democracy
Principle
A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system;
The principle of the conservation of mass
The principle of jet propulsion
The right-hand rule for inductive fields
Principle
Rule of personal conduct
Principle
(law) an explanation of the fundamental reasons (especially an explanation of the working of some device in terms of laws of nature);
The rationale for capital punishment
The principles of internal-combustion engines
Common Curiosities
Why are principles important in professional settings?
Principles ensure that professional behavior remains ethical, consistent, and fair, enhancing trust and integrity in various fields.
How do beliefs and principles influence decision-making?
Beliefs influence decisions through personal convictions, whereas principles guide decisions based on ethical standards and societal norms.
Can a belief become a principle?
Yes, if a belief gains wide acceptance and is used to guide ethical behavior, it can evolve into a principle.
What role do beliefs play in shaping individual identity?
Beliefs form a significant part of one’s identity, influencing perceptions, values, and actions throughout life.
Can principles conflict with each other?
Yes, principles can sometimes conflict, requiring careful consideration and ethical reasoning to resolve.
What is the difference between a belief and a principle?
A belief is a personal or cultural conviction considered true, while a principle is a widely accepted standard guiding behavior.
How can conflicting beliefs and principles be reconciled?
Reconciliation can involve dialogue, education, and sometimes compromise, focusing on understanding and respecting diverse perspectives.
How does culture influence beliefs and principles?
Culture plays a crucial role in shaping both, influencing what individuals accept as true and how they behave in society.
Are principles absolute or can they be adapted?
While principles are generally stable, they can be adapted or reinterpreted to better serve evolving societal values and knowledge.
How are new beliefs and principles formed?
New beliefs and principles can arise from changes in societal values, scientific discoveries, and cultural exchanges, among other factors.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
