The Principle of Insufficient Action

Principles of Insufficiency and Sufficiency

Don Allen

Science or no science, every subject has its principles.  Basically a principle is a rule or guideline.  The principles of buoyancy, behavior, conformity, and democracy are familiar.  In this note, we consider a very special category of principles, those infused with the terms insufficient and sufficient as modifiers. Then, we create a new principle (insufficient action) which seemingly has an appropriate value for our day. As we’ll see, such principles often form the basis of a theory on the strong side or a hope on the weak side. Yet, they offer some truly interesting distinctions, qualifications, or requirements. 

Note. As a rule, insufficient usually means not enough, though it can mean that what is thought to be not enough is actually quite enough.  Also a rule, sufficient often implies a need or requirement for some additional components for compliance.  

For example, the Principle of Sufficient Reason (or Cause) suggests that every event and indeed everything must have an explanation or cause. It has been used to prove the existence of God as the cause of the existence of the universe. OK, the “big-bang” explains the universe, but what explains the big-bang?  Now, God?  As this is undesirable for many, refutations a-plenty have been developed.  An interesting example originates from inductive thinking.  Namely, if there is a cause of the universe, then this cause, which itself exists, must itself have a cause.  In turn, this cause has a cause, and so on in infinite regression.  The conclusion is there can be no cause.  Indeed, it can be applied also in physics where electromagnetic forces do exist, and therefore must have a cause, which has a cause, and so on. 

Yet, in medical science, the notion has impelled investigators to determine the underlying causes of all sorts of maladies, taking medicine well beyond older and weak causal explanations such as malaise.  Despite phenomenal successes, it is significant to note the cause itself may be completely in error and often has been.  In a modern situation, many attribute one cause of autism to be vaccinations, a notion that’s been completely debunked. 

The Principle of Insufficient Reason (or Indifference) is useful in mathematics and other subjects as a guideline to do nothing unless there is a reason to do so. In the easiest example, consider rolling a die with faces labeled 1, 2, … , 6.  As there is putatively no reason why one face should be preferred, we conclude the probability for each number appearing is the same, namely 1/6. This principle is also used in police work to guide investigators toward causes favored by actual evidence.  It basically provides all with the principle to look for evidence in any matter to distinguish from indifference.  Importantly, it is not a theorem as there is no axiomatics.  It can be part of a theory but is best a guideline.

However, the Principle of Least Action, stating, for example, the transportation of a particle from one position to another travels with least energy or least time is a genuine theorem.   This is only to demonstrate that some principles can be logically rigorous. Often principles are guidelines, rules of thumb, basic wisdom, or part of an operational calculus.

The Principle of Insufficient Punishment posits the idea that a slight punishment for a violation may be more effective than severe punishment.  Based on ideas of human motivation, it suggests the reduced punishment may co-opt the perpetrator to embracing violated rules.  Another on the more non-theoretical side is the Principle of Insufficient Justification.  It is said to be in force when internal judgment is utilized to justify a behavior. This principle is substantially from psychology and is related to our brand new principle that seems to have influence over the actions of many individuals or a collective.

The Principle of Insufficient Action

The Principle of Insufficient Action (PIA) is not from physics but the action world of humanity, mostly politics and sociology.  It refers to a principle wherein given a situation, some activity/action is better than none, regardless of actual needs.  

This is atypical how human systems work.  When left to their own devices, most people tend to stabilize, achieving a steady-state*.  Only when external energy or forces are applied will they act. However, the PIA dictates a spontaneous action even when a steady state solution is warranted.  This energy can have internal origins arising from discontent or the other origins. This is a contradiction to normal thermodynamics.  While all occasionally exhibit this principle, it is more prevalent in people mentally distressed in some way.

The PIA is possibly a symptom of the notion of urgency in societal life today, wherein something must be happening or something must be done at all times.  People with an insufficient understanding of history have a deep uncertainty in the future, and this, in turn, causes a craving for action. Not to underestimate the action caused by uncertainty, but that action is sometimes not well considered. The best leaders do pay attention to subtle details, and one of these is the assurance of the population to future prospects.  This explains the nature of campaign promises – to diminish spontaneous action. 

Other principles of sufficiency or insufficiency. The following behaviors or situations are common but are cast below in this context.

The Principle of Insufficient Cash.  Many people live on the edge of poverty, usually not having enough money for comfort but enough to get along, barely. Credit cards are at their limit. Cash is beyond borrowing.  Improvement is not in sight. Such folks are attracted to the Lottery, sometimes blowing $10-$30 on the various state-supported games. They are hoping against hope and reason to be bailed out forever from their endless poverty. This is the current manifestation of centuries-old lottery systems and the decades-old  “Numbers Game” operated by organized crime.  This condition is not new as governments have been using lotteries for centuries to raise revenue. From who? From those with insufficient cash.

The Principle of Insufficient Insurance is a condition arising from an enhanced feeling of insecurity. No longer sufficient are the basic safety nets society offers or life and auto insurance.  Many are now purchasing appliance insurance, car repair insurance, and multiple insurance policies on every product they buy. 

The Principle of Insufficient Testing is related to how much testing is required to validate a product such as a drug or new aircraft.  It concerns how the testing is done, and by whom, and the criteria being tested.  For drugs, we often see that when approved, a drug has not had serious or adequate testing at scale.  Such tests are expensive but reveal rare anomalies. Aspirin would not be approved by modern standards, accounting for scale. Consider as well,  Thalidomide from the 1950s. A disaster.  Recently, we’ve seen the new Boeing 737 Max under scrutiny, possibly for software problems with the autopilot, but possibly for pilot training.  Perhaps, the plane was tested only with very experienced pilots.  You know this principle by another name: When is enough actually enough?

In conclusion, people love their principles because they provide directions on what to do, how to think, and what to believe.  They encode complexity into simplicity.  As well, sciences and other subjects need their principle, though often taking centuries in their formation.  Irrefutability is a significant criterion, in addition to ease of comprehension.  Once a principle takes root, it enjoys permanence not unlike a belief. When true principles provide clarity and simplicity, but when false, they lead to impossible problems and ridiculous solutions.

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Homework: It’s your turn.  Make up a Principle of Insufficient xxxxx or a Principle of Sufficient yyyyy.

Select a subject you know well.  For example, what is the Principle of Insufficient Competition, or the Principle of Sufficient Love? How about the Principle of Insufficient Debt?