The Power Of Thinking In First Principles
How Mental Models and New Ways Of Thinking Break Down Complex Topics
“If ignorance is bliss, then knowledge must be ecstasy.” - Franklin O’Kanu
I made the following quote on a podcast about tone. In the podcast, I discussed how sound and tone are essentially the building blocks of reality. The podcast leans towards the esoteric and deeper into the conspiratorial realm of reality, but nevertheless, it is an exciting topic.
One of the concerns I often encounter when learning about interesting topics, such as the potential power of sound, water, and even conspiracies, is the idea that knowing too much can be harmful.
Some people say, “Aren’t you worried about knowing too much? Isn’t it ridiculous? It might be better if I didn’t know anything at all.” This notion illustrates the idea that ignorance can be blissful. You can go about your day without worrying about anything when you don’t know much.
However, when we gain knowledge, especially when we work hard for it, this knowledge brings with it the sensation of joy and fulfillment, as understanding things can lead to an ‘aha’ moment where everything finally clicks. It’s akin to a moment of ecstasy where learning something new and finally comprehending it leads to a fantastic experience.
PS: As we will address below, it’s important to note that knowledge, for its own sake, can also be abused, just like the abuse of ecstasy.
Unfortunately, some people seem to be afraid of learning. This fear is very real, and it can hold us back.
Throughout my career, I have realized that one of the best ways to learn and understand new information is by using mental models, specifically the idea of thinking in first principles. So, in this article, I will discuss first principles and why they are important. But first, it’s essential to understand what mental models are.
What You Can Learn from Charlie Munger and the Yoruba Philosophy
I read the book “The Personal MBA” by Josh Kaufman about three years ago, which significantly impacted my career. The book introduced me to business concepts that could supplement an MBA degree. In the book, Josh argues that understanding the basics of business can help you navigate the modern business landscape without needing an MBA degree or taking out loans.
I discuss this approach of looking at problems differently in my article, The Hidden Struggles of Healthcare. How can we look at a problem, and instead of solving it that way, can we solve it this way and have a more effective solution?
This approach can also be called autodidacticism, which I also mention in my article on How Millennials Were Set Up to Fail and How We Can Succeed. It’s essential to know that education is not limited to formal institutions. Previous articles, such as the Dossier’s one on Harvard and the excerpts from my book, have shown that these educational systems are indoctrination camps and debt-producing machines.
Recommended Reading: How Billionaires Created Public Education
Early on in “The Personal MBA,” we were introduced to the concept of mental models. The book explains:
“I think it’s undeniably true that the brain works in models. The trick is to have your brain work better than the other person’s brain because it understands the most fundamental models, the ones that do the most work.” - Charlie Munger.
Very few people are familiar with Charlie Munger, who was actually Warren Buffett’s business partner. In fact, Buffett attributes much of his success to Charlie. Buffett states, “Charlie can analyze and evaluate any kind of deal faster and more accurately than any man alive. He sees any valid weaknesses in 60 seconds. He’s a perfect partner.”
Charlie had what was known as a latticework of mental models, which he applied to making business decisions. One of the quotes from Charlie, which I find interesting, is that he states:
“Just as multiple factors shape every system, multiple mental models form a variety of disciplines are necessary to understand that system...You have to realize the truth of biologist Julian Huxley’s idea that “Life is one damn relatedness after another.” So you must have all the models, and you must see the relatedness and the effects from the relatedness...”
I find it interesting that a Hedge Fund Investor is familiar with the biologist Julian Huxley. Not many people know about Huxley’s work; his name is not very well-known either. When we talk about Julian Huxley, we also refer to Aldous Huxley.
I have covered Aldous Huxley extensively in my work on Brave New World, which is a highly recommended read. I suggest reading Brave New World Parts 1 and 2 to see how a family of biologists with access to advanced studies, like MKUltra before its time, were able to socially engineer the current society that we find ourselves in.
We are living in a world as a result of their studies. This example shows the importance of understanding conspiratorial politics and its implications in our reality.
Recommended Reading: Brave New World, Part One
Recommended Reading: Brave New World, Part Two
It is crucial to understand that Charlie is proposing a framework to perceive the world accurately and objectively and make decisions based on that perception. We have already discussed mental models to some extent. For instance, we have recognized that our brains use heuristics to process information in Critical Thinking Part 1.
However, mental models take this concept one step further. Mental models are concepts that help us view the world in a more simplified way. As Charlie points out, things can be very complex, and so is the world and reality. So, the question is, how can we move and navigate through reality more accurately? Mental models provide a way to do so.
As I read the book “Socrates and Orunmila” and learn about these two philosophers, I’m re-introduced to the Yoruba practice known as Ifa in Nigeria. When you compare the Yoruba practice of Ifa to the teachings of Socrates, you can see that individuals in two parts of the world delivered the same message in similar ways with slight variations.
If you break down the concepts of Ifa further, you will notice that these concepts are essentially mental models of how one should operate throughout reality, taking into account the spirituality of reality. Thus, what you have here is a mental model of how humanity should live their lives in relation to both the spiritual and material aspects of reality.
Interestingly, this is how much of the world operated before European civilization, as I discuss in my article titled “The Black Man’s Guide to Reality,” which focuses on Africa and how life was before European civilization as we know it today.
So, we can say that the Ifa system is an instance of mental models.
Among the mental models I use frequently and effectively, the most significant is the mental model of first principles.
How to Use First Principles to Simplify Complex Topics
“First Principles” is a concept that involves simplifying complex topics by breaking them down to their most basic foundation. This is a widely discussed concept, with even Elon Musk mentioning it in an article and numerous videos available on YouTube.
However, the average person interested in conspiratorial politics may not be familiar with the concept. Despite this, First Principles is a mental model that industries and corporations use frequently, and it is a fundamental aspect of how our world operates. Unfortunately, it is not something that we are typically taught.
The concept of first principles involves simplifying something complex by breaking it down into its most basic components. By doing this, you can gain a deeper understanding of the topic at hand.
Consider the example of a tree. At first glance, we only see the leaves on the surface. However, we do not know how these leaves came to be. Using the concept of mental models or first principles, we can break it down to the fundamental elements of the matter, starting from the seed or the personal values that make up the bark, branches, and so on.
These complex topics can be simplified by breaking them down into a few bullet points. There isn’t a perfect method for analyzing first principles, but as long as we can break something down further, we are building the foundation of understanding. One way to achieve this is to keep asking “why” until we can no longer go any deeper. The ultimate goal is to strip down a complex idea to its most basic elements.
For instance, the technique of Socratic questioning, which is introduced in the Critical Thinking Part 2 article, can help us tackle a question or a problem. We can use this technique to understand the topic better and decide if any action needs to be taken.
PS: Most of the time, we don’t need to take any action, as suggests in this article.
Once we grasp the first principles of a topic, we can see that nothing is too difficult to understand, and we don’t need to be afraid of information. By breaking down a topic to its bare bones, we can also identify and address any logical fallacies that may arise.
Conclusion
To close, mental models give us a realistic way to look at the world objectively. Among these models, the first principles approach is very effective.
Sometimes, we avoid information because we fear being overwhelmed. We might choose to remain ignorant because of the comfort it provides. On the flip end of the coin, having knowledge without applying it can be just as harmful as ignorance. This example shows the dualistic nature of reality and how things can be both good and bad.
Recommended Listening: The Beauty Of Good And Evil
Here is where wisdom comes in. Knowledge itself isn’t power, but knowledge applied via wisdom is powerful. By truly understanding the so-called complex matters of the world, we can help to create a better world by enabling us to let go of outdated ways of thinking.
Josh Kaufman’s book provides a comprehensive breakdown of business school material in just 400 pages. Similarly, I attempt to summarize the history of the past 200 years in just 200 pages. By understanding the foundations of things, we can see how they came to be. This revelation brings us closer to understanding and healing the world.
Recommended Reading: The History of YOU. My Book: An Unorthodox Truth
Thank you for your time and attention. Wishing you much success in this journey of life.
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Great❣️
Very Interesting Franklin!