d in meeting the problems of human
life. This analysis has stressed four fundamental truths:

(1) That a valid rule, or principle, when complete, embraces
all known phenomena pertinent to the relationship
established.

(2) That the logical application of principles to particular
incidents will take account of all the factors of the
principles, and of all known conditions of the incidents.

(3) That such principles afford great assistance in arriving
at sound conclusions, and that the human mind, if without
access to such valid guides, tends to adopt faulty rules
in the effort to serve the same purpose.

(4) That rules of action, however, even though they be valid,
cannot be depended upon to replace the employment of
logical thought.

Procedure for Developing Military Principles. Logically, the next
stage in the treatment of this subject is to develop certain basic
principles applicable, more especially, to the solution of military
problems.

The development of such principles starts, on the basis already
established in this discussion, with a reference to the natural mental
processes used by the normal mature human being before taking
deliberate action (page 19). Under such circumstances, the person who
is to solve the problem has first to establish a basis for his
solution.

To arrive at this basis, which involves an understanding of the
appropriate effect desired, the person concerned requires a grasp of
the salient features of the situation, a recognition of the incentive,
and an appreciation of the effect which he has been directed to
produce or has adopted on his own initiative. To complete the basis
for his solution, he also requires an understanding of comparative
resources as influenced by the conditions obtaining at the time.

During the actual solution of the problem, the person concerned takes
cognizance first, of the existing situation, picturing it in his mind.
Then, unless satisfied that he desires no change, he creates for
himself mental images of future situations. The pictured condition
decided upon after consideration of the pertinent factors involved, be
it the situation to be maintained or a new situation to be created,
constitutes an effect he may produce for the further attainment of the
appropriate effect desired, already established as an essential part
of the basis of his problem. (See page 25.)