by HARRY on MAY 27, 2016 EDIT
Reality – that is all we have to determine the answer to any inquiry. First-principles thinking is how we should think.
Reality is made up of what I can see, touch, feel, smell, and hear.
First-principles thinking is breaking down a problem (challenge, dilemma, etc.) into basic elements and reassembling them from the ground up.
The problem could be anything; political, scientific or social; from is evolution a theory or is there a God to who should I marry.
For me to make any sound decision on anything, I have to look at reality and do what has always worked. Or maybe I need to listen to someone who says, “That is the way we have always done it.” Right? Not exactly.
First, set aside all impurity of conventions, assumptions and reasoning by analogy that might lead you astray. Go to the first principles that are the basis from which a thing is known; the essential knowledge.
Second, there are other things that do not fit into our senses; but still fit into reality. These are real “things” that are in each of us but cannot be measured. Is there a spiritual world which we are connected as evidenced in the list below?
Let me name a few:
- Honor among warriors
- Love of a child that you don’t know.
- Shame of doing something wrong.
- Love (or longing) of a sole mate.
- Beauty of a sunset.
- Justice that each of us cry out for.
The best way to apply first-principles thinking is to ask questions. Why, where, when, why and how are a good start. For science, here are some questions”
- Clarifying your thinking and explaining the origins of your ideas (Why do I think this? What exactly do I think?)
- Challenging assumptions (How do I know this is true? What if I thought the opposite?)
- Looking for evidence (How can I back this up? What are the sources?)
- Considering alternative perspectives (What might others think? How do I know I am correct?)
- Examining consequences and implications (What if I am wrong? What are the consequences if I am?)
- Questioning the original questions (Why did I think that? Was I correct? What conclusions can I draw from the reasoning process?)
The thoughts, propaganda, and dogma of others imprison us if we’re not thinking for ourselves.
Reasoning from first principles allows us to step outside of history and conventional wisdom and see what is possible and what is true.
Let us begin your path to first-principles thinking by asking this question: Can two theories or laws that are in conflict be true? Think about going back to the essential principles. Are the laws of nature true? Do they fit reality for the last hundred years?
The Theory of Evolution does not fit reality or fit first-principles thinking.