First Principles Thinking: Building winning products using first principles thinking

by Ajitesh Shukla

Can innovation be taught and learned in a methodical manner? Can there be an innovation playbook using which, given a need to create a thing, product, or solve a complex problem, a set of well-defined steps be followed? How has Elon Musk been super successful time and again to create game-changing innovative products that created tremendous value for end-users and society at large? The answers to these questions can be found with a reasoning technique called first principles thinking.

First principles thinking is defined as a method of reasoning or a thought process in which you try and understand the fundamental truth regarding different aspects of the existence of a thing or problem by breaking it down into its most basic elements and building your argument up from there. These fundamental truths can be called the first principles or first causes.

The book is aimed to help you learn and implement first principles thinking using which you can build innovative products and solutions related to complex problems. The book represents concepts from Aristotle’s Metaphysics and Nyaya/Vaisheshika philosophy (Indian Philosophy). It will provide you with step-by-step methods for adopting this reasoning technique in your day-to-day work. You'll be able to learn and use appropriate questioning techniques such as 5-whys, Cartesian method of doubt, and Socratic method to understand problems in a holistic manner and find creative solutions. You can start using this reasoning method in any area of your life including solving real-world problems.

So if you're ready to start building winning products and solutions that create a real impact on end-users and society at large, read on! Don't miss out on this valuable learning opportunity – order your copy today!

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 17, 2022

Reviews

[Luan]

First Principles Thinking

[Patryk Grzesiak · Rating 2 out of 5]

Painful to read

It’s not a long book but it was rather a challenge to finish. I’m sure the author is very knowledgeable about the subject but the book is full of repetitions. I felt like I was watching kids education program where they keep repeating the same constant with a small twist to make sure the knowledge was well settled in.
Not a great execution of a rather interesting topic.

[William · Rating 2 out of 5]

Repetitive. Informative bit repetitive. Had to speed read the last two chapters to get to the end. A slog. A useful one, but a slog nonetheless. Read chapter 1; some of chapter 2; and the end of chapter summaries.