What is the primary function of the 'No firm rules' pillar within the context of Wikipedia's core principles?

The primary function of the 'No firm rules' pillar is to acknowledge that while Wikipedia operates under a set of established policies and guidelines, these are not inflexible laws. This pillar serves as a crucial reminder that common sense, reasoned judgment, and exceptional circumstances may warrant deviations from standard practice to improve the encyclopedia. It prevents rigid adherence to rules from hindering the project's ultimate goal: creating a high-quality, comprehensive, and accessible resource. For instance, a strict interpretation of the notability guidelines might exclude a highly significant but obscure historical event due to limited source coverage; the 'No firm rules' pillar allows editors to consider the event's importance and potentially make an exception, provided they can build consensus for doing so. The pillar encourages editors to consider the spirit of the rules, not just the letter, and to prioritize the encyclopedia's overall quality and usefulness.