Primary Name
The Principle of Reduction of Distinctions
The term “reduction” refers to bringing distinctions together, compressing them, and simplifying them.
More Precise Formulation
- The Principle of Controlled Reduction of Distinctions.
Thesis Formulation of the Principle
Every system tends to reduce the multiplicity of distinctions to a limited, manageable set.
It preserves only those distinctions that it is capable of processing, while either eliminating the rest or replacing them with abstract categories.
Short, Forceful Formulations
- A system reduces distinctions to a manageable minimum.
- A system replaces distinctions with categories.
- A system eliminates unmanageable distinctions.
Status of the Principle
This is a high-level principle of how a system operates.