On “Speaking of Principles”
Nicknames got started during military training, things like “XX Man.” Someone—one of my closest friends, no less—actually said that I “are the most principle-abiding person in the philosophy department,” and called me “Principle Man.” I found this extremely uncomfortable, alas. In fact, I don’t think I’m a person who talks about principles. It would be more acceptable to say I’m “the least principle-oriented” person, because what I value is the word “go with the flow.” I not only advocate “making peace with whatever comes” and “adapting to circumstances,” but as for things like “playing along with the situation,” I’m not averse to them either; I even think they are necessary…
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