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For example, in some senses a "[[nature]]" is the ''source'' of a thing's action, and an "[[essence]]" is the ''source'' of a thing's being.

For example, in some senses a "[[nature]]" is the ''source'' of a thing's action, and an "[[essence]]" is the ''source'' of a thing's being.

A "[[cause]]" is a kind of principle, but the meaning of ''principle'' can be broader than "cause" in at least two ways.  Firstly, a principle can be a "deprivation" in the sense of the absence of a thing understood to be present by nature.  An example could be the absence of a woman's eye, of which could be spoken as a principle of certain actions.

A "[[cause]]" is a kind of principle, but the meaning of ''principle'' can be broader than "cause" in at least two ways.  Firstly, a principle can be a "deprivation" in the sense of the absence of a thing understood to be present by nature.  An example could be the absence of a woman's eye, of which could be spoken as a principle of a prevention of a cause.

Secondly, in Christian theology, the [[Son of God]] and [[Holy Spirit]] were not created but are said to have God the Father as their "source" or principle.

Secondly, in Christian theology, the [[Son of God]] and [[Holy Spirit]] were not created but are said to have God the Father as their "source" or principle.

So there is a kind of hierarchy of the ideas of principle, cause and element.

So there is a kind of hierarchy of the ideas of principle, cause and element.

Principles can be divided along three primary dimensions: principles of reality, moral principles and logical principles.

Principles can be divided along three primary dimensions: principles of reality, moral principles and logical principles. Principles of reality may more commonly be called "principles of nature", but since there are definitions of "nature" that might call it a kind of principle itself, its use might be better avoided.

 

== See also ==

== See also ==