Principlev1
Trace identity narratives to their origin evidence to reveal
Trace identity narratives to their origin evidence to reveal how thin the evidentiary foundation often is beneath long-held characterological conclusions.
Why This Is a Principle
This derives from reconstructive memory (Memory is reconstructive, not reproductive—humans rebuild), narrative identity construction (Human beings construct identity through ongoing narrative), and fast causal inference (Automatic Narrative Generation Precedes Conscious Evaluation). It prescribes detective work - tracing stories back to originating events to reveal that decades-old identity conclusions may rest on single-incident, emotionally-charged, never-updated evidence. This creates space for narrative revision.