CIA Director on Principles

[sternumagnum]

"Principle" is "a general distinction based on general characteristics" ??!

That's a truly horrible definition! Here's how the Wikipedia article puts it (far better):

"A principle is a law or a rule that has to be, or usually is to be, followed, or can be desirably followed, or is an inevitable consequence of something, such as the laws observed in nature or the way that a system is constructed."

[jupiterjason]

More people should study the method of reasoning that Jan uses in order to draw valid conclusions. After watching Jan's videos, I have seen no errors in his reasoning- only errors in those he interviews that ultimately lead to contradictions. If journalists applied the socratic method when interviewing government officials and if more people examined their own principles in their reasoning, we would live in a very different (more just) world.

Thanks Jan!!

[jupiterjason]

I am disappointed by the negative comments in response to this video. Jan deftly demonstrates the necessity of identifying principles in order to draw valid conclusions. This is how all people make decisions whether they know it or not. Unfortunately, many people are unaware of the principles they employ when making decisions and in many cases this leads to unintended consequences. For example, a dangerous principle I see employed often is "if it feels good, I should do it"-This leads to trouble

[matchbox555]

jan is a retard

he simply doesnt live in reality

he lives in a fucking philosophy class

[Kurtyoungblood]

Haha, you fool.

[niffweed17]

the principle communicated by this video is a short and highly salient proof that jan helfeld is absolutely clueless about the complexity of anything to do with the way society actually functions on a pragmatic level.

[DantesObjective]

Pragmatism is averse to all principles. It is a damn shame America has sunken into its pragmatic depths. The only way complexity can even begin to be dealt with in reality is by reference to operating principles.

[Izzard]

Jan: Maybe decision-makers do have principles and consciously work to them - but they are afraid to define their principles because they know we'll be able to deduce their morals.

[janhelfeld]

Do you have any principles? If yes, I ask how is this possible: "Aren't all situations unique therefore you might need a unique principle for each unique set of situations?"

[timbosforporn]

Aren't all situations on the globe unique therefore might need a unique principle for each unique set of situations?

[dwayne0t]

Isn't it possible that Woolsey does have principles, it's just that he cannot reveal them lest we see him as he is: someone who believes in a foreign policy that will enrich him and his friends, no matter the human cost?

Can't you have principles that are evil?

[ikemkrueger]

I think principles are like guidelines. Things to help you to handle a situation.

I wouldn't say there are "evil" principles. Just unpractical principles. (So much also to pragmatism. ;))

[WOLF333999]

One of Woolsey's favorite principles is that he loves Hitler no matter what.

[L1ber8ted]

Jan you're the best!

[pipe34101]

First definition of Principle on google dictionary:

A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct.

....wow. This interview is too good to be true.

[medliberty]

Woolsey should have said: "Only if the evil dictator is sitting on a sea of oil should we invade. Otherwise, not so much."

[moonreft]

I love this Jan guy.

[dtmbcorp]

I love you, Jan. Keep it up!

[GordonWalton]

Oh, they have their reasons, you just have to be a psychopath to understand their reasoning!

[elbuggo]

"Integrate" is a keyword, yes.