A first principle is a basic, foundational assumption—one that cannot be deduced or broken down any further.
First principles are foundational truths.
First principles thinking is a powerful framework for deconstructing complex problems and driving non-linear outcomes.
Here's a breakdown of what it is and how it works:
A first principle is a basic, foundational assumption—one that cannot be deduced or broken down any further.
First principles are foundational truths.
The aim: to ground yourself in the foundational truths and build up from there.
It's quick and easy to do.
But it also leads to unimaginative, linear solutions that closely resemble what has been done before.
To be sure, it can be very useful when speed is the priority.
But it falls short when dealing with complex problems requiring creative, imaginative solutions.
The foundation is the assumptions upon which the solution rests.
If it's shoddy, it'll collapse. If it's sturdy, it'll thrive.
First principles form a sturdy foundation for the house—and allow you to build more creatively on top!
@elonmusk & @SpaceX
The problem? Sending a rocket to Mars to begin the process of making humans an interplanetary species.
Love him or hate him, that does sound pretty complex...
It was not only financially untenable, it was also grounded in assumptions of how rockets have always been built and what they should cost.
So he turned to first principles.
What's a rocket made of?
Aerospace-grade aluminum alloys, titanium, copper, and carbon fiber.
What's the value of those materials on the open market?
Just ~2% of the typical rocket price!
So he decided SpaceX would build its own rocket.
Today, @SpaceX rockets are doing extraordinary things at a fraction of the historical cost—the dreams of a Mars voyage appear alive and well.
First, determine if it's necessary for your given problem, or if reasoning by analogy is a better fit.
As a rule of thumb:
• For speed/efficiency—analogy
• For creativity/innovation—first principles
@ShaneAParrish calls this "Socratic Questioning”—think of it as resurfacing the insatiably curious child in you.
Here are a few to get you started:
We often waste time and energy trying to solve the "wrong" problem. Identify the "right" problem.
What do I know to be true about this problem?
Write down everything you know about the problem (and its previously attempted solutions).
Identify the source of your beliefs. Be ruthless in evaluating their integrity.
How can I support these beliefs? Is there real evidence to support them?
Seek out hard evidence that proves their truth.
When emotions drive our thoughts and decisions, we rarely see good outcomes.
What alternative beliefs might exist?
Understanding alternative viewpoints is a superpower.
What are the consequences of being wrong?
Always know the stakes!
Asking these questions will help you drill down to the foundational truths of a problem and ultimately build up to a more imaginative solution.
These predictably lead to linear outcomes.
Leveraging first principles thinking is intense and time consuming—but it is also a pathway to devising creative solutions that drive non-linear, asymmetric outcomes.
Follow me @SahilBloom for more threads on business, finance, growth, and decision-making.
I’ll be doing a deep-dive in my newsletter. Join 62,000+ others and subscribe! https://t.co/qMB8i60ney
—Where It Happens—for first principles conversations with amazing guests on the most interesting topics in business and tech. https://t.co/MPmloxBHZH
https://t.co/1ciSQp1EtP
https://t.co/fDnEF70dbj
https://t.co/p9WOKqJZJf
More from Sahil Bloom
You May Also Like
THE MEANING, SIGNIFICANCE AND HISTORY OF SWASTIK
The Swastik is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon. Swastik has been Sanatan Dharma’s symbol of auspiciousness – mangalya since time immemorial.
The name swastika comes from Sanskrit (Devanagari: स्वस्तिक, pronounced: swastik) &denotes “conducive to wellbeing or auspicious”.
The word Swastik has a definite etymological origin in Sanskrit. It is derived from the roots su – meaning “well or auspicious” & as meaning “being”.
"सु अस्ति येन तत स्वस्तिकं"
Swastik is de symbol through which everything auspicios occurs
Scholars believe word’s origin in Vedas,known as Swasti mantra;
"🕉स्वस्ति ना इन्द्रो वृधश्रवाहा
स्वस्ति ना पूषा विश्ववेदाहा
स्वस्तिनास्तरक्ष्यो अरिश्तनेमिही
स्वस्तिनो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु"
It translates to," O famed Indra, redeem us. O Pusha, the beholder of all knowledge, redeem us. Redeem us O Garudji, of limitless speed and O Bruhaspati, redeem us".
SWASTIK’s COSMIC ORIGIN
The Swastika represents the living creation in the whole Cosmos.
Hindu astronomers divide the ecliptic circle of cosmos in 27 divisions called https://t.co/sLeuV1R2eQ this manner a cross forms in 4 directions in the celestial sky. At centre of this cross is Dhruva(Polestar). In a line from Dhruva, the stars known as Saptarishi can be observed.
The Swastik is a geometrical figure and an ancient religious icon. Swastik has been Sanatan Dharma’s symbol of auspiciousness – mangalya since time immemorial.
The name swastika comes from Sanskrit (Devanagari: स्वस्तिक, pronounced: swastik) &denotes “conducive to wellbeing or auspicious”.
The word Swastik has a definite etymological origin in Sanskrit. It is derived from the roots su – meaning “well or auspicious” & as meaning “being”.
"सु अस्ति येन तत स्वस्तिकं"
Swastik is de symbol through which everything auspicios occurs
Scholars believe word’s origin in Vedas,known as Swasti mantra;
"🕉स्वस्ति ना इन्द्रो वृधश्रवाहा
स्वस्ति ना पूषा विश्ववेदाहा
स्वस्तिनास्तरक्ष्यो अरिश्तनेमिही
स्वस्तिनो बृहस्पतिर्दधातु"
It translates to," O famed Indra, redeem us. O Pusha, the beholder of all knowledge, redeem us. Redeem us O Garudji, of limitless speed and O Bruhaspati, redeem us".
SWASTIK’s COSMIC ORIGIN
The Swastika represents the living creation in the whole Cosmos.
Hindu astronomers divide the ecliptic circle of cosmos in 27 divisions called https://t.co/sLeuV1R2eQ this manner a cross forms in 4 directions in the celestial sky. At centre of this cross is Dhruva(Polestar). In a line from Dhruva, the stars known as Saptarishi can be observed.
These 10 threads will teach you more than reading 100 books
Five billionaires share their top lessons on startups, life and entrepreneurship (1/10)
10 competitive advantages that will trump talent (2/10)
Some harsh truths you probably don’t want to hear (3/10)
10 significant lies you’re told about the world (4/10)
Five billionaires share their top lessons on startups, life and entrepreneurship (1/10)
I interviewed 5 billionaires this week
— GREG ISENBERG (@gregisenberg) January 23, 2021
I asked them to share their lessons learned on startups, life and entrepreneurship:
Here's what they told me:
10 competitive advantages that will trump talent (2/10)
To outperform, you need serious competitive advantages.
— Sahil Bloom (@SahilBloom) March 20, 2021
But contrary to what you have been told, most of them don't require talent.
10 competitive advantages that you can start developing today:
Some harsh truths you probably don’t want to hear (3/10)
I\u2019ve gotten a lot of bad advice in my career and I see even more of it here on Twitter.
— Nick Huber (@sweatystartup) January 3, 2021
Time for a stiff drink and some truth you probably dont want to hear.
\U0001f447\U0001f447
10 significant lies you’re told about the world (4/10)
THREAD: 10 significant lies you're told about the world.
— Julian Shapiro (@Julian) January 9, 2021
On startups, writing, and your career: