First principles is a problem-solving approach that involves breaking down complex concepts or challenges into their fundamental components or basic principles. Instead of relying on analogies or assumptions, this method encourages you to analyze and understand the core principles underlying a situation.
This allows you to build a more accurate and innovative understanding of the problem, enabling you to devise creative and effective solutions. It's about questioning assumptions, identifying key variables, and then reconstructing your understanding from the ground up.
Elon Musk, for example, often employs this approach to tackle complex engineering problems.