distinction principle

The distinction principle is a guideline used in various fields, including ethics and policy-making, which emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between different entities or situations. It asserts that when assessing actions, decisions, or outcomes, one must differentiate between relevant factors to avoid unfair generalizations. For example, in international law, it’s used to distinguish between combatants and civilians during conflicts to protect non-combatants. This principle promotes fairness and clarity by ensuring that each situation is evaluated on its own merits, rather than being lumped together with unrelated cases.