hierarchy of principles

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "hierarchy of principles" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a structured arrangement of guiding beliefs or values, often in contexts like ethics, decision-making, or organizational frameworks. Example: "In our organization, we adhere to a clear hierarchy of principles that guides our actions and decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

That our nature is structured towards ends, which Butler takes to be empirically evident, gives evidence of a hierarchy of principles to attain the ends, a hierarchy where some principles must be naturally subordinate to others (N3).

SEP

Butler's best-known arguments for the natural hierarchy of principles draw on a number of analogies: to a watch ("Preface"), to a civil constitution (Sermon III), to a tree, and to a machine (Sermon 3 Note 1).

SEP

THUMP premiered the video for "A Hierarchy of Principles," the latest single from VIOLENCE, the same month.

Vice

We now have embraced not a hierarchy of principles but a mesh of interpenetrating narratives simultaneous and ongoing.

Huffington Post

NON announced the record last week with a single called "I Write Letters Letters To You Everyday And Burn Them In Fires Of My Pride," but today they're sharing a clip for "A Hierarchy of Principles," a more subdued track with a foreboding animation to match.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

For example, if, as Tait (2001) argues, intrinsic justifications are confined to the hierarchy of reflection principles investigated in Tait (2005a), then by the results of Koellner (2009a), such a view would have to embrace pluralism with regard to PU. Extrinsic justifications provide us with the hope of securing axioms that have much greater reach.

SEP

Landau and Osmo [ 15] investigated the hierarchies of ethical principles among Israeli social workers.

BMC Medical Ethics

An in-depth investigation of a hierarchy of double negation principles can be found in Kamide 2013.

SEP

Weber, p. 197, established the basis for hierarchy: The principles of office hierarchy and of levels of graded authority mean a firmly ordered system of supervision of lower offices by the higher ones.

Journal of Organization Design

A hierarchy of forms, behaviors and principles classifies how biological phenomena are presented as potential analogies.

CIRP Annals

We had to minimize their involvement in the decision making process of potential participants by educating the members of the power hierarchy on basic principles of ethics.

BMC Medical Ethics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "hierarchy of principles", ensure the context clearly defines the principles being ranked and the basis for their hierarchical arrangement. Provide specific examples to illustrate the ranking in action.

Common error

Avoid assuming the audience understands the rationale behind the "hierarchy of principles". Explicitly state the criteria used for ranking, such as importance, impact, or precedence, to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "hierarchy of principles" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as a subject or object in a sentence. Ludwig AI shows it's used to describe a structured ranking or ordering of guiding rules or values. It is useful to define a system of importance.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "hierarchy of principles" is a noun phrase used to describe a structured ranking of guiding rules or values, commonly found in scientific and news contexts. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and used to establish a clear framework for understanding a set of prioritized values. The analysis suggests that while not extremely common, this phrase serves an important function in contexts where clarity and order are paramount. Related phrases include "order of precedence" and "system of priorities". When using the phrase, it is important to clearly define the ranking criteria and provide examples to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

order of precedence

Focuses on the ranking system that determines which principle takes priority.

system of priorities

Highlights the arrangement based on importance.

ranked values

Emphasizes the ordered arrangement of values.

scale of importance

Focuses on measuring the relative significance of each principle.

ladder of ideals

Uses a metaphor to depict a series of ideals in ascending order.

pecking order of guidelines

Informal term for a ranked arrangement of guidelines.

graded principles

Highlights that the principles are arranged based on their degree or level.

structured values

Stresses the organization and arrangement of values.

prioritized guidelines

Focuses on guidelines that have been given a specific order of importance.

tiered tenets

Indicates tenets arranged in levels or stages.

FAQs

How can I illustrate a "hierarchy of principles" in writing?

Use examples or case studies to demonstrate how the principles are applied in order of importance. For example, if discussing ethical principles, show how the higher-ranked principle guides decision-making when conflicts arise with lower-ranked ones.

What's the difference between a "hierarchy of principles" and a list of principles?

A list simply presents principles without indicating relative importance. A "hierarchy of principles" implies that some principles are more important or take precedence over others in certain situations.

What are some alternatives to using the phrase "hierarchy of principles"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "order of precedence", "system of priorities", or "ranked values".

In what fields is the concept of a "hierarchy of principles" commonly used?

It is frequently applied in ethics, law, management, and computer science, where establishing clear priorities and decision-making frameworks is essential.