10 Think Toolkits to Solve Problems From First Principles

First principles thinking breaks problems down to fundamental truths and builds up from there. These ten toolkits help you bypass assumptions, ignore precedent, and construct solutions from bedrock reality.

1. The Physics Foundation

How to apply it: Reduce every problem to physics and build up.

The foundation method: Problem: Complex business challenge Reduce to: Energy, time, space, matter Ask: What's physically required? Build: Only what physics demands

Physics reductions:

• Communication = Information transfer
• Business = Energy transformation
• Learning = Neural pathway formation
• Manufacturing = Matter rearrangement

Example breakdown: Problem: Expensive rockets Physics: Need X thrust to escape gravity Materials: Aluminum, fuel, electronics Raw cost: $200K Industry price: $65M Question: Why 325× markup? Solution: Build from physics up (SpaceX)

Your reduction: What physics governs this? What's minimum requirement? Why current complexity? Build from atoms up

Think: "Physics doesn't lie—build from natural laws, not human rules"

2. The Assumption Assassinator

How to apply it: List every assumption, then kill them systematically.

The assassination method:

1. List what "must be true"
2. Challenge each: "According to physics?"
3. If not physics, it's negotiable
4. Design without false constraint

Murdered assumptions:

• "Need four years for education" → Khan Academy
• "Must own inventory" → Amazon early days
• "Require physical presence" → Remote work
• "Need expensive equipment" → Cloud computing

Your hit list: Sacred cow in industry: _____ Why "must" it be? Physics requirement? No Then kill it

Practice: Daily: Murder three assumptions Weekly: Redesign one process Monthly: Question entire system

Think: "Assumptions aren't laws—murder them to find truth"

3. The Component Atomizer

How to apply it: Break everything to indivisible components, rebuild minimum viable.

The atomization process: Complex system/product Break into components Break components into atoms Can't break further? That's essential Everything else: Optional

Atomization example: Car: Surface: 4 wheels, engine, seats, chassis Deeper: Transport, speed, weather protection Atomic: Move human A to B Essential: Movement capability Tesla: Started from atoms

Your atomization: Current solution: _____ Break down 5 levels Find true atoms Rebuild from those only

Think: "Complexity hides simplicity—atomize to find essence"

4. The Function Isolator

How to apply it: Separate function from form, solve function directly.

The isolation method: Current form: How it's done Core function: What must happen Forget form entirely Solve function from scratch

Function solutions:

• Form: Taxi (car + driver)
• Function: Get from A to B
• Direct solution: Uber (any car + any driver)
• Form: Hotel (building + rooms)
• Function: Sleep somewhere safe
• Direct solution: Airbnb (any space)

Your isolation: How you do it now: _____ What must be accomplished: _____ Simplest way to accomplish: _____

Think: "Forms are arbitrary—isolate function to find truth"

5. The Energy Equation

How to apply it: Calculate energy in vs. value out, optimize ratio.

The equation method: Input energy: Time + Money + Effort Output value: Result achieved Current ratio: Usually terrible Theoretical minimum: Physics limit Design for minimum

Energy analysis: Traditional education:

• Input: 4 years + $200K + full attention
• Output: Knowledge + credential
• Ratio: Horrible

First principles:

• Input: 6 months + $0 + focused effort
• Output: Same knowledge
• Ratio: 10× better

Your equation: Energy in: _____ Value out: _____ Theoretical minimum: _____ Redesign for efficiency

Think: "Energy is truth—minimize input, maximize output"

6. The Why Chain Breaker

How to apply it: Ask why until you hit natural law, rebuild from there.

The chain method: Current practice Why? → Reason Why that? → Deeper reason Why that? → Deeper still Stop at: Natural law or human nature Build up from stop point

Chain example: 40-hour workweek Why? → Standard schedule Why? → Factory coordination Why? → Industrial era need Why? → Machines ran continuously Natural law? No, historical artifact Rebuild: Results-only work

Your chain: Practice: _____ 5+ whys deep Hit bedrock truth Reconstruct from there

Think: "Why reveals truth—chain down to bedrock, build up"

7. The Blank Slate Designer

How to apply it: Design solution as if nothing existed before.

The blank slate method: Forget all existing solutions Start with problem and physics Ask: "If I were first human solving this..." Design from zero

Blank slate breakthroughs: Tesla: "If cars didn't exist, what would we build?" Result: Computer on wheels

Amazon: "If retail didn't exist, how would we sell?" Result: Everything store

Your blank slate: Forget your industry exists Someone has problem You have physics and logic Create solution

Think: "History constrains thinking—blank slates reveal possibilities"

8. The Resource Reality Check

How to apply it: List actual resources needed vs. resources used.

The reality check: Current solution resources Ask: "What's actually essential?" Usually: 10% necessary 90%: Tradition, comfort, assumption

Resource analysis: Office work:

• Current: Building, desk, commute, 8 hours
• Essential: Computer, internet, focused time
• Reality: 90% waste

Education:

• Current: Campus, professors, 4 years
• Essential: Information, practice, feedback
• Reality: 95% ceremony

Your check: Resources used: _____ Truly essential: _____ Ratio: _____ Redesign for essential only

Think: "Most resources are waste—identify essential, discard rest"

9. The Constraint Constructor

How to apply it: Add extreme constraints to force first-principles solutions.

The construction method: Take current approach Add impossible constraint Can't use normal solution Forced to fundamental rethink

Constraint breakthroughs: "Build rocket for 1% of cost" → SpaceX "Start company with $0" → Service business "Teach without teachers" → Khan Academy "Store no inventory" → Dropshipping

Your constraint: Current method: _____ Constraint: Do with 10% resources Forced innovation: _____

Think: "Constraints force truth—extreme limits reveal principles"

10. The Truth Tree Builder

How to apply it: Start from undeniable truths, build logical branches.

The building method: Identify absolute truths (physics/math/logic) Build first conclusion From that, next conclusion Continue until solution

Truth tree example: Truth: Humans need transportation Truth: Energy moves things Truth: Electricity is efficient energy Branch: Electric vehicles inevitable

Truth: Information wants to be free Truth: Internet enables free distribution
Branch: Open source dominates

Your tree: Undeniable truth: _____ Therefore: _____ Therefore: _____ Solution emerges

Think: "Truth compounds—build from certainty to solution"

Integration Method

Daily: Question three assumptions Weekly: Atomize one complex system Monthly: Blank slate one industry practice Quarterly: Rebuild entire process from physics

The principles formula: Physics + Logic + No assumptions + Minimum resources = First principles solution

Mastery progression:

• Week 1: Uncomfortable questioning
• Month 1: Seeing assumptions everywhere
• Month 6: Natural decomposition
• Year 1: Think from physics up

Master first principles: Reality has few rules—everything else is negotiable.