dictates
n. C / U C1 Advanced US //ˈdɪkˌteɪts// dic·tates
n. rules or principles that you feel you must follow. These are often based on your conscience, your reason, or what society expects.
n. guiding principles or requirements that must be obeyed. Often used in the plural to refer to the internal requirements of conscience or the external requirements of logic or fashion.
He always follows the dictates of his conscience.
The company's strategy was driven more by the dictates of the market than by the personal vision of its founder.
While the artist respected tradition, she refused to be bound by the dictates of the academy, preferring instead to experiment with unconventional materials and forms.
Usage
Commonly used in the plural form ('dictates') and often followed by the preposition 'of'.