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Break a problem down to its basic truths (axioms) and build up from there, rather than reasoning by analogy ("doing what others do").
First Principles Thinking is a cognitive framework that changes how you see problems. Once you understand it, you'll notice opportunities to apply it everywhere.
Don't just improve the horse; invent the car. Question every assumption until you hit a law of physics.
This model works because it strips away irrelevant detail and exposes the core structure of a problem. Most people reason by analogy ("what do others do?"); this framework forces you to think from first principles.
Elon Musk used this to build cheaper rockets by calculating the raw cost of materials rather than buying finished parts.
This model is most useful when you're stuck. If your current approach isn't working, First Principles Thinking often reveals the hidden constraint.
Over-applying: Not every problem benefits from this model. Match the tool to the situation.
Under-applying: People learn the model but don't practice it. Application takes repetition.
Misunderstanding the principle: Surface-level understanding leads to poor execution. Study the examples.
Ignoring context: The same model works differently in different domains. Adapt accordingly.
Identify a current decision you're facing. Write down the assumptions you're making. Challenge each one.
Look at a past failure. Apply First Principles Thinking retroactively—would it have changed the outcome?
Teach the model to someone else. If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Set a reminder to apply this model once per week for the next month. Track the results.
The best thinkers have internalized multiple mental models and apply them fluidly based on context.
Mental models require specific cognitive traits to execute. Do you have the Intelligence for this?
Break a problem down to its basic truths (axioms) and build up from there, rather than reasoning by analogy ("doing what others do").
Don't just improve the horse; invent the car. Question every assumption until you hit a law of physics.
Elon Musk used this to build cheaper rockets by calculating the raw cost of materials rather than buying finished parts.
Use First Principles Thinking when facing complex decisions in the reasoning domain, when conventional approaches aren't working, or when you need a structured framework for analysis.
First Principles Thinking is used by strategic thinkers, business leaders, and anyone who needs to make high-stakes decisions under uncertainty. It's particularly popular in investing, startups, and engineering.
Yes. Mental models are learnable skills, not innate talents. The key is deliberate practice—actively applying the model to real decisions, not just reading about it.