first-principles

# First-Principles Thinking

Apply systematic first-principles analysis to break down complex problems into fundamental truths and rebuild solutions from the ground up.

## When to Apply This Framework

Use first-principles thinking when you encounter:
- Complex decisions with no clear answer
- Conventional approaches that aren't working
- Assumptions that may be limiting solutions
- Need to innovate beyond industry norms
- Problems that feel "impossible"

## The 15 First-Principles Prompts

### Category 1: Foundation (Strip to Fundamentals)

**1. "What are the physics of this problem?"**
Strip everything to objective reality. Remove opinions, preferences, and history.
> *Apply when:* You need to understand what's actually true vs what you believe is true.

**2. "If I couldn't rely on existing assumptions, how would I solve this?"**
Assumptions are invisible cages. This prompt forces fresh thinking.
> *Apply when:* You're stuck in conventional approaches or "the way things are done."

**3. "What are the problem's fundamental components?"**
Break problems into atoms. What are the irreducible elements?
> *Apply when:* A problem feels overwhelming or too complex to tackle.

### Category 2: Ideal State (Unconstrained Vision)

**4. "What would the optimal solution look like if cost didn't exist?"**
Constraints ruin creativity too early. First imagine the ideal, then work backward.
> *Apply when:* Budget or resources are limiting your thinking prematurely.

**5. "If I were forced to cut 90 percent of this, what would remain?"**
Brutal prioritization. What is truly essential?
> *Apply when:* You have too many options, features, or tasks competing for attention.

### Category 3: Risk Analysis (Failure Modes)

**6. "If this failed completely, what would be the root cause?"**
Start with failure to engineer success. Pre-mortem thinking.
> *Apply when:* Planning a launch, making a major commitment, or assessing risk.

**7. "What would a solution look like if I ignored industry