The context establishes the relationship of a statement or idea to other statements and ideas. If we consider an idea in isolation, then we are guilty of dropping context, of ignoring what defines or conditions that idea. When we are guilty of dropping context, we are failing to consider the full context. We are considering the idea as if it exists in a vacuum, disconnected and unrelated to other ideas.
The ideas we accept today have a long-term impact. If we want to make the right decision, then we must identify and understand the future consequences. Future consequences are a part of the full context. If we do not identify and consider those consequences, then we may be dooming future generations to needless suffering and misery.
To understand the full context of an idea, we must look beyond the problem it purports to address. We must look beyond the stated intentions. The full context involves the principles underlying that idea, and far too often, those principles are not explicitly stated. If we are to consider the full context, then we must identify and state those principles.
It is said that hindsight is 20/20. In retrospect, we can see the consequences of an action or policy and determine whether it was the best decision. In a certain sense, principles give us hindsight prior to taking an action or adopting a policy. Principles allow us to identify the future consequences of an idea or policy, and thus determine if today’s decisions will have the results that we desire.
For example, the principles of health tell us that a sedentary lifestyle and a diet of fast food and sugary drinks will ultimately result in health problems. Those principles can’t predict the specifics—which particular health problems, such as obesity, diabetes, or heart disease, will be made manifest—but they can predict that there will likely be health problems at some point in the future. The principles of health allow us to predict the future consequences of today’s actions. The same is true of the principles of property rights (and indeed all principles).
A principle is a general truth that is applicable to a broad range of concrete, specific situations or issues, whether it is health, investing, study habits, or property rights. Just as we can predict the future consequences of a poor diet, “investing” in lottery tickets, or refusing to study for an important exam, we can predict the future consequences of policies regarding property rights if we identify the principles involved.
Principles enable us to identify today what the results will be tomorrow. Principles enable us to identify which policies and ideas will have desirable results in the future and which will not. And if we care about the future, then we must actively seek to identify and understand the principles underlying today’s policy debates. We must understand and consider the full context.
You can take our mini-course “Considering the Full Context” for free by signing up below.