Edit: You edited your comment so mine is now irrelevant.

You seem to think that “pragmatic” and “rational” have universal or objective definitions, which is completely untrue. For example, depending on if you have a short term or long term view of a situation could completely change whether an action is considered rational or not, and vice versa, and has absolute nothing to do with any moral framework.

I dont think enemy centered mindsets are just taking a longer term view. They are psychological traps.

I honestly pity you if you think having principles is a psychological trap.

Of course, the complete lack of inhibition that affords, is exactly what can make psychopaths so compelling.

> It’s starting to sound like is “yeah this isn’t pragmatic but it’s really moral.”

Principles and morality are not the same thing, so no, incorrect. I could have completely amoral principles. Morals are grounded in social consensus, principles are not.

Spend less time trying to be right and more time learning.

Of course, a complete lack of self awareness is also a common principle-free, sociopathic trait.