The Why, What, and How of a Doctrine

I Am Deeply Troubled

As a child of the Woodstock Generation and a participant in the numerous protests of the late '60s, I have been watching current events with interest and then despair. Why? Because history repeats itself, and here's why.

Whereas in the '60s, all of my generation had a common focus - stopping the Vietnam War - we lacked the real "Why" or the actual Doctrine that drove that movement. The "Why" in that case was our collective mistrust in the institutions (government, educational edifices, etc.) that dominated our society during that time. We expressed it with the "How" - the public demonstrations of said mistrusts by launching protests all over the East and West Coast of the US. The "What" was missing!

Something Was Missing?
Let me insert an explanation at this point to help differentiate between "Why," "What," and "How." As I engage clients in strategic planning, we use the why, what, and how terms consistently, and the differences between the same. We always start with the why - the truth (why do we exist?), and once that is defined, we move onto the what - the principles (what are our guiding values and what do we do?). Once established, then, and only then can we formulate the how - the applications (how will we succeed and who carries out the tasks identified and when?).

Here is an illustration of how our various religions express the differences between the three. (NOTE: I am not proselytizing here for anyone to become religious, I am not of that ilk, but I do like the following illustration for my purposes today):

What was absent from both the 60's protest messaging about stopping the war and the protests today advocating for universal humanity are the What/Principles. While doctrine expresses foundational, fundamental, and comprehensive truths, principles are doctrinally based guidelines for the exercise of moral agency. Finally, applications are the actual behaviors, steps, practices, or procedures by which doctrines and principles are enacted. However, unlike doctrines or principles, applications can change according to time and circumstance. 

Fast Forward to Now

Once we really understand the above concepts, we can begin to view what's happening in our country differently. When we watch or read the news, or talk to other people, for example, we don’t emotionally react just because some talking head or a friend said that it’s a good or bad thing. We do it because we can rely on the doctrine we believe in, and we don’t apologize to our friends because we want them to like us.

The Need for Critical Thinking
More than ever, in the history of our country, the need for critical thinking is paramount, and it is sadly lacking. I point my

finger at the sordid quality of leadership at the very top of our government as the root cause at this junction in our short 244-year history as a noble experiment in democracy. Allow me to insert the three qualities of critical thinking here, and you can judge for yourself if we as a country are following these principles:
 

• Question Assumptions - be sure to ask fundamental questions about your beliefs and consider alternatives.
• Reason Through Logic - avoid drawing sweeping conclusions based on limited or insufficient evidence.
• Diversify Thought - become immune to group-think. When you are around people similar to you for whatever reason — age, politics, religion— try to solicit different points of view. It will make you a better thinker.