Thinking from First Principles: A Simple Approach

At 11 PM in the faculty room, I was still wrestling with a stack of exam papers—around 100 pages waiting to be graded in a limited time. The hard-to-read handwriting made the task even more challenging. "Still a lot to go?" asked Ali Ridho, my fellow lecturer. "This is just a third of this semester's assignments," I replied. Situations like this are common for educators in Indonesia, where the large number of students and limited time are daily challenges.

I had tried various conventional approaches—detailed assessment rubrics, assistant help, and simplified formats. Despite some progress, the main problems remained: difficult-to-read handwriting, long answers that needed to be checked one by one, and consistency in grading that was hard to maintain. These efforts felt like walking in place.

A simple question from Ali Ridho made me rethink. At that moment, I remembered a concept I had learned as a student: first principles thinking. This is a method of thinking that invites us to step back, release all commonly accepted assumptions, and start from fundamental truths that cannot be disputed. Great thinkers like Aristotle called it the foundation of knowledge, Descartes used it to prove his existence with "I think, therefore I am," and Elon Musk used it to build rockets in a new, more cost-effective way.

What Is First Principles Thinking?

Let's understand together. First principles thinking is a way to look at problems with fresh eyes. Usually, you and I tend to accept what already exists—for example, "This is how it's done." However, this approach invites us to ask, "Does it really have to be this way?" We break down the problem to its most basic parts, looking for what's truly important, then build a solution from scratch. This isn't just about improvement, but creating something new and better.

For instance, if you want to open a restaurant, most people think you need seating, chefs, and a long menu. But with first principles, you ask, "What do people actually need?" The answer might just be good and fast food—perhaps it's enough to offer it through online orders without a large dining space. This approach opens up possibilities that weren't previously considered, in any field—education, business, or even daily life.

Taking Action: Koreksinilai

Back to my story. That night, after talking with Ali Ridho, I went home with spinning thoughts. At my small bedroom desk, under a dim light, I wrote down ideas for Koreksinilai. I didn't want to just digitize grading—I wanted to rebuild it from the ground up. I asked myself, "What do lecturers really need?" The answer emerged: a tool that could read handwriting, convert it to text, and quickly capture the essence of student answers.

The process wasn't simple. I spent months perfecting this system, integrating Amazon's OCR technology for accuracy. Initially, there were funny moments—for example, "integral" being read as "intergalactic"—but eventually it worked. Fifty exam papers that used to take five hours could be completed in 15 minutes. Fellow teachers became interested, and more importantly, the grading became more consistent and fair for students.

Looking Broader

But this isn't just about exams. You can use this thinking method anywhere. In Indonesia, for example, Ruangguru didn't just move classes online. They asked, "What is the essence of learning?" and built a platform from scratch so students truly understand, not just attend. Gojek too—they saw people needed speed and convenience, then created a transportation and service ecosystem from the ground up. This shows that first principles isn't just for technology, but for everything we face every day.

I continued this journey with Akadevisi. I asked, "How can technology help us live better?" For Akadevisi Learn, I provide AI training that's easy to understand and accessible to everyone, from free webinars to the latest workshops. At Akadevisi Solution, I find out what makes organizations run smoothly, and create AI-based solutions tailored for local schools and businesses. This approach remains alive as it adapts to the latest technological developments—always starting from scratch, but with an innovative approach.

Practical Steps for You

I want you to try this yourself. This method isn't difficult. Here are practical steps you can use for any problem you face:

You can use these steps for anything—starting a business, finishing office work, or even arranging a daily schedule. The important thing is not to be afraid to throw away what you've already considered right.

Challenges I Faced

But I admit, it's not always easy. When creating Koreksinilai, some colleagues worried that technology would replace human roles. I said, "That's not it—this just helps us focus on what's more important." The process also took time—perfecting OCR took months while exams piled up. I started small, tested with teacher friends, and focused on accuracy rather than getting caught up in small details. Combined with the quick approach from Lean, everything eventually became smoother.

So, challenges are normal—people fear change, time can be an enemy. But I learned that if you start small and focus on the core, everything becomes possible. Like the Japanese Kaizen philosophy, small consistent improvements will result in big changes over time.

A Greater Meaning

I sit writing this on a quiet night, far different from that night full of exam papers. Now I feel satisfied being able to share this story with you. This approach changed me—from just complaining to creating solutions that have an impact. I hope you try it too. Take one problem, ask "Why is it this way?" and build from scratch. Maybe that small step will change your day, or even your life. In a world full of complexity, going back to basics makes us calm and strong for a better future.