11/16/25 no. 2: Behaviors vs. Principles
- john koenig
- Nov 16
- 3 min read
I’ve recently found myself wrestling with the issue of behavior and principle. An ardent skeptic of behavioral theory and the idea that all that matters is the function of our actions, not the intent behind them, I feel the need to bloviate on the topic for a bit. My basic approach to the issue of behavior versus principle can be summed up thus: a strong, principled moral compass leads to observable and often desired behaviors, but simply demonstrating principled, moral behaviors is not always indicative of our true beliefs.
I submit for my argument exhibit A; you will have a hard time finding a teacher who doesn’t profess to having a “student-centered” teaching philosophy. They can often point to best practices (i.e. behaviors) they employ to put students first (talking to students in class, inquiring about their curiosities to present more engaging lessons, taking an interest in their life outside the classroom, etc.). Yet, often when students are asked, they state that even though some teachers demonstrate these behaviors, the students still feel like the teacher doesn’t really put them first. People can tell when our behaviors are simply performative and not informed by underlying principles. I think people can also tell when our behaviors are in direct conflict with some of our underlying principles. However, I think we also live in a world where people are so used to interacting with this sort of behavioral/principle conflict that a lot of individuals have grown numb or apathetic to these interactions.
It reminds me of the new Yorgos Lanthimos film, Bugonia (featuring a FANTASTIC score by Jerskin Fendrix). In the film, Emma Stone’s character is kidnapped and accused of being an alien by conspiracy theorists. For almost the entire film it is impossible to tell who is right, Emma Stone of her captors (no spoilers here). I think the film is a good allegory for the sort of behavior/principle conflict I’m trying to describe here. I think a lot of people who believe that behaviors are a result of principles are confused and somewhat defeated by those who think that behaviors are all that matter regardless of what you truly believe. To the “principles lead to behaviors” people, the “behaviors are all that matter” people seem like aliens. But just as Emma Stone’s character does in the film, often the “behaviors are all that matter” people acquire greater power and exhibit more standard outward signs of “success” (power, position, wealth, etc.). Which begs the question, which is it better to be?
After all, if behaviors help one acquire power, wealth, and position, who cares what principles motivate those behaviors? I, for one, care quite a bit. I believe our principles, what we really believe, are not only obvious to people who are adept at and attuned to reading subconscious body language, I believe that our principles (avowed or kept secret) seep into the perceptions and beliefs of people with whom we interact. A teacher who only avows to put students first while really believing that only some students matter or that some matter more than others teaches their students that believing this is ok. I believe that kind of subconscious education is akin to the most devastating diseases in humanity.
I think we are living in a society driven by simple perceptions of behaviors. Rarely do people concern themselves with trying to understand people at the level of principle, choosing instead to only observe and respond to behaviors. I think this active divorce between principle and behavior is dangerous and leads to weakened relationships between people. For a musician who relies on subconscious connection with people to create their art, this sort of gradual divorce from behavior and principle can end a career or a profession. Behaviors can be quickly learned; developing principles takes time. But when your behaviors become more motivated by principle rather than reverse engineering behaviors to get a desired result, I believe your relationships, your work, and your life becomes a lot more fulfilling.
Jerskin Fendrix, "History of Earth" from the soundtrack to Bugonia:
Comments