What is actually true?
Seems like a simple question. But these days, anyone can express an opinion and label it fact, citing their favorite publication or podcast as proof. They might even vaguely mention that “studies say” they’re right, and leave it at that.
If your head is spinning from parsing all that conflicting advice, try using first-principles thinking.
What is first-principles thinking?
It’s a problem-solving method often credited to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle. He believed that real understanding comes from breaking things down to their fundamental, inarguable truths. (If you’re curious about his work, check out Posterior Analytics and The Metaphysics, which cover these ideas in detail.)
To practice first-principles thinking:
Define your problem.
Identify what you know about it.
Question what you “know”—how can you be sure that knowledge is true?
Then keep questioning until you’re left with self-evident facts.
How to apply first principles to enrich your life
If that all sounds a little fuzzy, think of it this way. Any time you’re faced with a problem and find yourself randomly consuming content, hoping for insights, that’s an opportunity to lean on first principles.
Say you’re trying to figure out what you should be eating for breakfast. Right now, you believe the healthiest choice is a black coffee with some protein and veggies, like eggs and bell peppers.
But why?
Did you learn that in a nutrition class? From your mom? From a blog post that cites a study? Have you read the actual study? What does it say? Who funded the study? How does your own body react after you eat that kind of breakfast? What did our ancestors eat for breakfast? Did humans always eat breakfast, or was it a modern invention?
You get the idea. By dismantling your assumptions layer by layer, you might confirm they were right all along. Or you might unearth some truths that totally change your perspective on diet.
Let’s up the ante with a higher-stakes example. Say you’ve been in the same career for twenty years and feel unfulfilled. You’re worried that it’s too late for you to switch lanes. Notice the underlying assumption: You think you can’t take on a new job because it’s too risky. Using first principles, you can determine whether there’s actually some truth in that.
Why is it too risky? Do you feel like you don’t have any other skills? Like you’d be taking a big pay cut? Do you have transferable skills that could propel you into a salary bracket you’re comfortable with, even if you’re working in a new field? Are there low-risk ways to start over, like going through a vocational program with a strong network of alumni that could fast-track your success?
Keep digging. You’ll likely dig your way into some gratifying employment.
If you’re ever unsure of how to dig deeper into a problem, you can always port your questions into SweepIQ. It’ll give you comprehensive resources—high-level summaries, deep-dive analyses, links, and videos—to explore any angle in more depth.
The path to self-sufficiency
When you’re being pelted with information from every direction, first-principles thinking offers a quieter path to the heart of the issue. And when you get good at problem-solving on your own, your growth—personal and professional—will have no ceiling.
So, where will your curiosity take you today?
