First Principles

Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons Ex13, CC BY-SA 3.0

A few basic Lego building blocks can be used to build an intricate model such as a replica of the Croatian National Theater in Zagreb.

In Renaissance Italy, people widely believed in an old idea: Heavier objects fall faster than light ones. This idea came from Aristotle and no one questioned it for many years. Then Galileo Galilei, a curious scientist, came along. He loved to question common beliefs.

Instead of just believing this idea, Galileo thought hard about it. He wondered, “Why would weight affect how fast something falls? Doesn’t gravity pull on all objects the same way?”

Galileo set up an experiment to test his idea. He went up the Leaning Tower of Pisa with two spheres, one heavy and one light. Many people watched as he dropped them both at the same time. They were amazed when both spheres landed at the same moment, validating his idea!

Galileo used basic ideas about gravity to prove an old myth wrong. His experiment showed that without air slowing things down, all objects fall at the same speed, no matter their weight.

Galileo’s challenge to conventional wisdom didn’t just change a belief; it laid a cornerstone for modern physics. His ability to question and reason from first principles paved the way for a deeper understanding of the world around us.

What are First Principles

First Principles are basic ideas in philosophy and science. They are the simple truths that everything else builds on. Everyone agrees on these truths because they make sense on their own.

For example, in physics, we have Newton’s Laws of Motion. These laws tell us how objects move when forces push or pull on them. In chemistry, the Periodic table of elements are recognized as the building blocks of all matter.

All computer programs use just three basic building blocks: sequence, iteration, and selection. Even large computer programs such as Microsoft Windows or the software controlling your smart phone is built from these three building blocks.

In Biology, we know that all living things are composed of cells. In geometry, we have basic rules call axioms. For example, one axiom states that only one straight line can be drawn between any two points. Another states that only one object can occupy a point in space at any given time.

Reasoning from First Principles

Reasoning from First Principles means solving problems by going back to the basics. It means not just accepting what others say but thinking for yourself. This way of thinking can lead to new ideas. Instead of relying on old beliefs, you start from the very beginning.

Let’s say you’ve never used Lego blocks before. Someone shows you an intricate Lego model and asks you to make more like it. To figure it out, you start by looking at the model and spot different parts like domes, roofs, and walls. You take apart each part, one block at a time.

After carefully taking it all apart, you see how all the different Lego blocks were used. You’re surprised that only a few types of blocks made the whole thing! Now, with those same blocks, you can make new Lego models. It takes time and work, but you couldn’t make new models without putting in that effort.

Pros and Cons of Reasoning from First Principles

Advantages of reasoning from first principles:

• Deep Understanding: It guarantees a thorough comprehension of the issue, free from pre-existing beliefs or analogies.
• Innovation: Dismantling conventional wisdom and building from scratch can lead to new solutions.
• Avoids Assumptions: This method reduces the risk of misleading analogies or incomplete information.

Pitfalls of reasoning from first principles:

• Time-consuming: It demands more cognitive effort and time compared to quick conclusions drawn from analogies.
• Can Be Overwhelming: Breaking everything down to basic truths can daunt some people.

First Principles in Our Project

In A Simple Manifesto, we mention that we’ll cover many subjects. Some of these topics are broad and have grown over years or even centuries. We may need to clear up myths and popular misconceptions that people have believed for a long time. One way to do that is to identify first principles applicable to the subject at hand and reason from first principles to bring clarity.

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