Using First Principles

When we face a difficult problem it is tempting to copy what others have done before us or stack new ideas on top of old assumptions. Long before modern science or business strategy, Aristotle suggested another way of thinking. Begin with first principles. A first principle is a basic and undeniable truth. It is something so fundamental that it cannot be broken down any further. Instead of accepting hand-me-down wisdom, Aristotle taught us to strip away assumptions until we find the core truths. Then we build our reasoning upward from there. I wanted to create a quick reference to use when I think about complex ideas and decided to make a post that I can return to when writing more formal papers. This approach is powerful because it helps us escape conventional thinking. Many great ideas in science, business, and everyday life have started with someone asking what is really true and then building a new answer from there.

Using First Principles in Everyday Problem-Solving

I wanted this guide to be something anyone could use, not just philosophers or business leaders. I often find myself facing complicated questions and wanting a clear way to think them through. These steps help me slow down and look for what is absolutely true. They separate facts from assumptions and untested ideas. They let me rebuild my thinking from the ground up with only reliable truths as the base. Doing this gives me a clearer view of the problem and shows hidden beliefs that might hold me back. It often leads to simple and creative answers that normal advice might miss.

First Principles Guideline

1. Define the Problem Clearly

  • Write the problem in plain language.

  • What exactly are you trying to understand or solve?

  • Why does it matter to you?

  • What would a good solution look like?

  • How will you know when you have solved it?

2. List What You Know to Be True

  • Write down the facts you can confirm.

  • What are you currently assuming is true about this problem?

  • Where did those assumptions come from, experience, tradition, or expert advice?

  • Are there beliefs you have never tested?

3. Identify Assumptions

  • Look for ideas you have accepted without proof.

  • Ask yourself if you truly know something is true or if you have only assumed it.

  • What facts can you confidently say are real and verifiable?

  • Are there rules of nature, economics, or human behavior that always apply here?

  • What limits cannot be changed, such as time, money, or physical constraints?

4. Separate Opinion From Evidence

  • Pause if emotions or bias seem strong.

  • Which parts of your thinking come from data or direct observation?

  • Which parts are guesses or common wisdom?

  • Is there anything you feel is true but have not proven?

5. Rebuild From the Ground Up

  • Using only the facts, create a fresh solution.

  • Imagine starting from nothing and building a new answer.

  • What would you try if no one had solved this problem before?

  • Could there be simpler, cheaper, or more direct ways to reach your goal?

6. Test and Adjust

  • Try your new idea in the real world.

  • Stay flexible and willing to learn.

  • How will you know if your new approach is working?

  • What small experiment or simple measure can confirm or disprove your idea?

7. Reflect and Refine

  • Look at what worked and what failed.

  • Decide if you should continue, change your approach, or go back and rethink earlier steps.

  • Use what you learned to improve your solution and make your next move stronger.

First principles thinking works by clearing away the noise and forcing you to see reality as it is. Each step slows you down just enough to notice what is true and what is only habit or opinion. By rebuilding ideas from a solid base of facts, you avoid borrowed assumptions and open space for better answers. This process is about being honest with what you know and willing to rethink when the path is unclear. I created this guide so I can return to it whenever a complex idea feels tangled. You can use it the same way. Start small, move carefully, and let clear thinking guide your next decision.

Acknowledgment: Portions of this article were edited using AI assistance to improve sentence structure and grammar.