Theory And Principles

I badly want to write an essay called 'theory and principles'.

A most serious statement.

Collingwood once wrote a book called 'Outlines for a theory of art', or something like that. Then 15 or so years later wrote a book called The Principles Of Art.

There is a very serious distinction between theory and principles.

It is all a matter of how you apply abstract knowledge to real situations. Do you strictly adhere to doctrine? Or do you creatively apply principles?

Theories predict and prescribe.

Principles guide judgement.

This is a most serious topic that I will need to pursue in the future.

I've been ruminating on the distinction for quite a while.

When I will be able to explicitly write on the topic, I don't know.