The First Principle

One Idea to Anchor Every Book You Read

One thing I’ve been loving about the early Greek philosophers is that they can each be identified with a first principle. This overarching principle is usually an element or idea that underlies their entire philosophy. Here are some first principle examples:

• Heraclitus - fire

• Thales - water

• Parmenides - being

• Democritus - atoms & void

The Greek word for this first principle is arche and it also has the meaning of beginning or origin. It can relate to not only the ruling principle, but also the ruling power. Our English words for Monarchy and Oligarchy encompass ruling power while archaic highlights ancient origins.

I’m constantly experimenting with ways to better remember what I read. One practice that has helped tremendously in this endeavor is to try to remember one thing from each book that I read. Being able to tie each early Greek philosopher to a first principle as a one thing has been very helpful in recalling other parts of their philosophy. If Democritus believed atoms were the foundation of all things material, that has ramifications that help explain other parts of his philosophy.

I’ve also begun considering first principles in other books that I read. It’s a fun thought exercise. I start each year reading straight through the Bible. If I were narrow down the entire Bible into a first principle, it’d be love. The entire book hinges on love. It’s quite a contrast to the power-hungry Greek pantheon. Love is not their first principle.

There was one early Greek philosopher who also spoke of love. His name was Empedocles. His first principle was a set of four roots (earth, water, air, fire) driven by love or strife. He was using the term philia for love whereas agape is primarily used in the New Testament. From my reading, he appears to be the only early Greek philosopher who hinted at love being a driving part of his first principle.

What is the first principle of the book you are currently reading?

What is your first principle?