by Sahil Bloom
There are 2 ways to solve problem or opportunities:
First : by Analogy: Somebody has done this way ; let me do it!
Second: by : first Principles.
Aristotle defines First Principles as : "First basis from which a thing is known"
A first principle is a basic foundational assumption - one that cannot be deduced or further broken down!
How to solve by First principles?
- What is the problem/opportunity you are trying to solve?
- Write down everything about the problem and its previously attempted solutions?
- What do I know 'true' about this problem?
- How do I know these 'truths' are true? What is the basis
- Identify the source of your beliefs? Is there real evidence?
- Are my emotions clouding my Judgment? What alternative viewpoints exist?
- What are the consequences of being wrong?
Asking these questions will help you to drill down to the foundational truths of a problem and ultimately build up to imaginative solutions!
World is filled with unimaginative, copy-cat solutions that 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 solutions!