Principle vs. Objective — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
Principle is a fundamental truth or doctrine guiding behavior; Objective is a specific goal or target to be achieved.
Difference Between Principle and Objective
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Principle and Objective are both guiding concepts, but their applications differ. A principle is an established belief or doctrine, usually moral or ethical in nature, that guides behavior or decisions. An objective, in contrast, is a clear and measurable target or goal one seeks to achieve.
Principle typically serves as a foundational belief that informs actions or decisions. It's an accepted or professed rule of action or conduct. Objective, however, acts as a direction or endpoint, highlighting what one aims to accomplish or attain.
When considering business practices, a Principle might be maintaining ethical standards in all operations. An Objective for the same business might be to increase its quarterly revenue by 10%.
Principle can be seen as the underlying reason for actions based on ingrained beliefs or values. Objective is more of a defined and often quantifiable aim that provides direction for those actions.
Both Principle and Objective play crucial roles in guiding behavior. While the former offers a foundation of values and beliefs, the latter provides specific targets and goals to work towards.
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Comparison Chart
Nature
Foundational belief or doctrine
Specific goal or target
Role
Guides behavior based on values
Provides direction for actions
Measurement
Often qualitative (based on values)
Typically quantifiable (measurable)
Application
Underlying reason for actions
Defined aim or end result
Time Frame
Generally timeless, a continuous guide
Can have a deadline or specific timeframe for achievement
Compare with Definitions
Principle
A basic truth or law.
Honesty is a fundamental principle that many uphold.
Objective
A target or endpoint.
The company's objective is to double its sales.
Principle
An accepted or professed rule of action.
Following the principle of fair play is crucial in sports.
Objective
A specific goal or aim.
His main objective is to complete the marathon.
Principle
A fundamental source or basis.
The principles of democracy are rooted in freedom and equality.
Objective
Something intended to be attained.
Her objective is to graduate with honors.
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.
Objective
A clear purpose or intention.
The project’s objective is to enhance community engagement.
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
Objective
Existing independent of or external to the mind; actual or real
Objective reality.
Principle
A general scientific theorem or law that has numerous special applications across a wide field.
Objective
Based on observable phenomena; empirical
Objective facts.
Principle
A fundamental source or basis of something
The first principle of all things was water
Objective
Uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices
An objective critic.
Principle
A basic truth, law, or assumption
The principles of democracy.
Objective
A thing or group of things existing independent of the mind.
Principle
A rule or standard, especially of good behavior
A man of principle.
Objective
The objective case.
Principle
The collectivity of moral or ethical standards or judgments
A decision based on principle rather than expediency.
Objective
A noun or pronoun in the objective case.
Principle
A fixed or predetermined policy or mode of action.
Objective
The primary optical element, such as a lens or mirror, in a microscope, camera, telescope, or other optical instrument, that first receives light rays from the object and forms the image. Also called object glass, objective lens, object lens.
Principle
A basic or essential quality or element determining intrinsic nature or characteristic behavior
The principle of self-preservation.
Objective
Of or relating to a material object, actual existence or reality.
Principle
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes
The principle of jet propulsion.
Objective
Not influenced by the emotions or prejudices.
Principle
(Chemistry) One of the elements that compose a substance, especially one that gives some special quality or effect.
Objective
Based on observed facts; without subjective assessment.
Principle
A basic source. See Usage Note at principal.
Objective
(grammar) Of, or relating to a noun or pronoun used as the object of a verb.
Principle
A fundamental assumption or guiding belief.
We need some sort of principles to reason from.
Objective
Of, or relating to verbal conjugation that indicates the object (patient) of an action. In linguistic descriptions of Tundra Nenets, among others.
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.
Objective
A material object that physically exists.
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.
Objective
A goal that is striven for.
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
Objective
(grammar) The objective case.
Principle
A fundamental essence, particularly one producing a given quality.
Many believe that life is the result of some vital principle.
Objective
(grammar) a noun or pronoun in the objective case.
Principle
A source, or origin; that from which anything proceeds; fundamental substance or energy; primordial substance; ultimate element, or cause.
Objective
The lens or lenses of a camera, microscope, or other optical device closest to the object being examined.
Principle
An original faculty or endowment.
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object.
Principle
(obsolete) A beginning.
Objective
Of or pertaining to an object; contained in, or having the nature or position of, an object; outward; external; extrinsic; - an epithet applied to whatever is exterior to the mind, or which is simply an object of thought or feeling, as opposed to being related to thoughts of feelings, and opposed to subjective.
In the Middle Ages, subject meant substance, and has this sense in Descartes and Spinoza: sometimes, also, in Reid. Subjective is used by William of Occam to denote that which exists independent of mind; objective, what is formed by the mind. This shows what is meant by realitas objectiva in Descartes. Kant and Fichte have inverted the meanings. Subject, with them, is the mind which knows; object, that which is known; subjective, the varying conditions of the knowing mind; objective, that which is in the constant nature of the thing known.
Objective has come to mean that which has independent existence or authority, apart from our experience or thought. Thus, moral law is said to have objective authority, that is, authority belonging to itself, and not drawn from anything in our nature.
Principle
(transitive) To equip with principles; to establish, or fix, in certain principles; to impress with any tenet or rule of conduct.
Objective
Unbiased; unprejudiced; fair; uninfluenced by personal feelings or personal interests; considering only the facts of a situation unrelated to the observer; - of judgments, opinions, evaluations, conclusions, reasoning processes.
Objective means that which belongs to, or proceeds from, the object known, and not from the subject knowing, and thus denotes what is real, in opposition to that which is ideal - what exists in nature, in contrast to what exists merely in the thought of the individual.
Principle
Beginning; commencement.
Doubting sad end of principle unsound.
Objective
The objective case.
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.
Objective
The goal intended to be attained (and which is believed to be attainable);
The sole object of her trip was to see her children
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.
Objective
The lens or system of lenses nearest the object being viewed
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.
Objective
Undistorted by emotion or personal bias; based on observable phenomena;
An objective appraisal
Objective evidence
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.
Objective
Serving as or indicating the object of a verb or of certain prepositions and used for certain other purposes;
Objective case
Accusative endings
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.
Objective
Emphasizing or expressing things as perceived without distortion of personal feelings or interpretation;
Objective art
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.
Objective
Belonging to immediate experience of actual things or events;
Concrete benefits
A concrete example
There is no objective evidence of anything of the kind
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
Objective
A measurable ambition.
The team has an objective to raise $10,000 for charity.
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
Principle
A moral or ethical standard.
She lives by the principle of kindness to all.
Principle
An underlying method or theory.
The principle of buoyancy explains why boats float.
Common Curiosities
Can a Principle be an Objective?
While they serve different purposes, a principle can inspire an objective, but they are distinct concepts.
Is Principle always moral or ethical?
Often, but not exclusively. It can also refer to basic truths or laws in various contexts.
Can an organization have both Principles and Objectives?
Absolutely. Principles guide behavior, while objectives set specific targets.
Is every Objective measurable?
Typically, objectives are measurable, allowing for assessment of achievement.
Why are Principles important?
They provide a foundation of beliefs or values that guide behavior and decisions.
Is it crucial for objectives to be clear?
Clarity in objectives aids in understanding and achieving the intended goal.
What's the core difference between Principle and Objective?
Principle is a foundational belief guiding actions, while Objective is a specific goal to be achieved.
Can you have multiple Objectives for a single task?
Yes, a task can have multiple objectives to achieve various aspects of it.
Is Principle always timeless?
Generally, principles are continuous guides, but interpretations or applications can evolve over time.
Which is broader, Principle or Objective?
Principle is broader, serving as an overall guide, while an objective is more specific.
How are Objectives used in business?
Objectives provide clear, measurable goals or targets businesses aim to achieve.
How do Principle and Objective relate in planning?
Principles provide the value foundation, while objectives offer clear goals in planning.
Are Principles subjective?
They can be, as they often stem from personal or cultural beliefs and values.
Can Objectives evolve?
Yes, objectives can change or adapt based on circumstances or new information.
Do principles vary between cultures?
Yes, what's a guiding principle in one culture might differ in another.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited 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.
