Is first principles a method of lifelong learning?

My answer is: I think it can be understood this way: First Principles thinking isn't a specific method like "how to take notes" or "how to memorize vocabulary"; it's more like an "underlying operating system" that enhances all your learning.

Let's use an analogy. Most of us learn new things like following a recipe. The recipe tells us how much salt and oil to add, and we follow it. This is called "analogical reasoning," because we're imitating methods that others have already succeeded with. Cooking this way is fast, and the food is edible. But what if one day you find you don't have soy sauce at home, or you want to cook a completely new dish? You might be stumped.

But what about someone who learns using First Principles? They would figure out: What's the role of salt? It's for seasoning and dehydration. What's the role of oil? It's to transfer heat and add flavor. And soy sauce? It's mainly for coloring and providing a savory taste. By understanding these most basic, core principles, even without soy sauce, they could think of using salt + sugar + a bit of dark soy sauce as a substitute, or even create entirely new dishes.

You see, that's the difference.

Lifelong learning doesn't mean memorizing new recipes forever. The world changes too fast; new recipes (new knowledge, new skills) emerge endlessly, and you'll never be able to memorize them all.

The true purpose of lifelong learning is to equip you with the ability to "create new recipes." And First Principles thinking is the mindset that grants you this ability. It makes you dissatisfied with just "what it is," pushing you to delve into "why it is," breaking down knowledge into its most fundamental building blocks, and then using these blocks to construct your own understanding and solutions.

So, back to your question: Is it a method for "lifelong learning"? Yes, and it's the most advanced kind. It doesn't teach you specific "techniques," but rather helps you grasp the underlying "principles." With it, you'll learn anything faster, deeper, and be better able to adapt to future changes. Isn't that the ideal state of lifelong learning?