A principle is a logical foundation, the abandonment or compromise of which results not in a partially changed philosophy, but in an entirely different philosophy altogether.
When the foundation of a house or building is removed, it cannot properly be called the same house or building anymore. Though it may still aesthetically resemble the edifice it was before in some fashion--albeit a broken, dilapidated, or crumbled version--it cannot functionally be said to be the same.
A principle is a foundation.
A philosophy is the same. For example, remove the ultility principle (i.e. foundational tenet) from Utilitarianism, and the resultant philosophy, whatever it may be said to be, cannot be said to be Utilitarianism, by very definition. Why? The foundation upon which all secondary, tertiary and further logical extrapolations were built, has been removed.
Voluntaryism is a unique philosophy, in that the principle of individual self-ownership is very concrete.
Compared to the vague tenets of Utilitarianism, which says that the "right" action is the one that results in the "most good for the most people," Voluntaryism is an absolutist, black and white philosophy--at least as far as individual self-ownership is concerned.
While the "greater good" of Utilitarianism may be open to interpretation, an individual human being is a rather concrete concept, and something clearly defined and easy to understand. Voluntaryism states that to initiate the use of force against any individual is wrong.
Where the Utilitarian may say "Well, sure, a few people may be harmed, but look how many more will be helped!" the Voluntaryist retorts, "if your plan requires the violation of even one individual it is not a legitimate or moral plan!"
If someone finds such a strict adherence to non-violence distasteful, they may reject the principles of individual self-ownership and the NAP. In doing so, however, they are by definition no longer a Voluntaryist.
The amusing part about all of this is that the protests against Voluntaryist "purists" only seem to erupt when the protesting party is sure that the ones who will be violated for "the greater good" are not themselves or their loved ones. These individuals, having rejected the foundations of the philosophy for "pragmatism," "making the world better," and "pushing humanity forward" may wish to retain the label of "Voluntaryist," but reality does not abide it. They are a sunken house.
Words have meanings, and definitions matter. When it comes to individual self-ownership, Voluntaryism is a black and white philosophy which drives moral relativists and self-labeled "pragmatists" absolutely bonkers. That is, of course, until the violence for "the greater good" is aimed at them. Then they are sure to return to their former "purist" principles in a heartbeat.
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as DTube and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)