First principles Flashcards
Use First principles to solve prolems
What is a key difference between First Principles Thinking and traditional problem solving approaches?
- Traditional approaches rely on existing solutions and best practices.
- First Principles Thinking challenges assumptions and builds solutions from scratch.
What is a “first principle” according to Aristotle?
A first principle is a fundamental truth or proposition that cannot be broken down any further. It serves as the basic building block for reasoning.
How does First Principles Thinking relate to scientific thinking?
Both methods emphasize questioning assumptions, seeking evidence, and building solutions based on fundamental truths.
You are trying to solve the problem of how to improve fuel efficiency in cars. How can you define the problem clearly using First Principles Thinking?
Don’t just focus on improving existing engines. Ask: What is the fundamental purpose of a car? How can we achieve that purpose with minimal energy consumption?
What is the “Five Whys” technique and how can it be used in First Principles Thinking?
The Five Whys is a tool to drill down to the root cause of a problem. Ask “Why?” five times to identify underlying assumptions and break down the problem into its most basic elements.
You identified that high marketing costs are hindering your business growth. How can you use First Principles Thinking to develop a new solution?
Don’t just assume traditional marketing is necessary. Ask: What is the core value we offer? How can we reach our target audience directly and efficiently? Can we leverage low-cost or free marketing channels?
Higher-order thinking
Imagine you’re an engineer designing a new type of bridge. How could First Principles Thinking be applied in this scenario? What challenges and limitations might you encounter?
What’s the first step in applying first principles thinking to solve a complex problem?
Clearly define the problem. You should be able to explain it in a few sentences and identify its core components and relationships.
You’re trying to reduce costs for your SaaS business using first principles. What kind of questions might you ask to break down the problem?
- What are the biggest cost drivers in our business? (e.g., Team, Cloud Infrastructure)
- Can we achieve the same results with a different cloud provider or service level?
- Are there alternative solutions to cloud technology altogether (e.g., on-premises)?
True or False: First principles thinking guarantees you’ll find the “best” solution every time.
False. First principles provide a framework for creative problem-solving, but there might be multiple effective solutions depending on the situation.
Scenario: You want to improve fuel efficiency in cars. How can you apply first principles thinking?
- What is the fundamental purpose of a car? (Transportation)
- What are the core components affecting fuel efficiency? (Engine, weight, aerodynamics)
- Can we achieve efficient transportation without traditional engines? (Electric vehicles)
- Can we redesign car structures for lighter weight and better airflow?
What are the steps involved in using first principles to solve a complex problem?
- Define the problem clearly.
- Break down the problem into its most basic elements through questioning (e.g., five whys).
- Identify underlying truths and absolute foundations.
- Create a new solution based on the identified principles.
What are the limitations of first principles thinking?
- Time-consuming: Requires deep analysis and challenging assumptions.
- Not always practical: May not be suitable for quick fixes or minor problems.
- Requires substantial knowledge: You need a strong understanding of the problem domain.
How can you develop your ability to think using first principles?
- Practice deconstructing everyday objects and processes.
- Ask “why” repeatedly to get to the root of assumptions.
- Study historical innovations that emerged from first principles thinking.
