From Quantum Foundations to Universal Insights: Embracing First Principles Thinking for Better Understanding Of How Things Work

If you believe in first principles thinking, you need to know some basic facts about the quantum world.

Quantum effects can be really strange. So many things we know from experiments just seem totally irrational, illogical and are downright befuddling. But understanding quantum effects can give you advantage in business. How? By empowering your ability to embrace first principles thinking.

Reasoning from first principles is a method of problem solving that involves breaking down complex problems into their most basic, foundational elements, then reassembling them from the ground up. It is a way of thinking that allows you to construct your understanding and solutions based on fundamental truths vice relying on assumptions. This approach to reasoning has been strongly endorsed by Elon Musk. But credit for the method really belongs to Aristotle, who defined a first principle as “the first basis from which a thing is known.” The approach encourages critical thinking and questioning of established beliefs and is especially important in innovating.

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