first-principles reasoning
nounUK /ˌfɜːst ˈprɪnsəpəlz ˈriːzənɪŋ/
US /ˌfɜːrst ˈprɪnsəpəlz ˈriːzənɪŋ/
Figuring things out by starting from the basic facts you know are true.
Using first-principles reasoning, she rebuilt the toy car from scratch instead of copying the old design.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. A way of solving problems by breaking them into the smallest true parts.
Engineers use first-principles reasoning to find cheaper ways to build rockets.
3. Thinking from scratch instead of trusting what everyone else says.
His first-principles reasoning led him to question the old rule.
4. A method that starts with known facts and builds up an answer step by step.
The class practiced first-principles reasoning by starting with simple truths.