Why do science and philosophy pursue 'irreducible truths'?

Let's put it this way: you can imagine all our knowledge and understanding as a massive castle constructed from LEGO bricks.

This castle might appear grand and intricate, with numerous beautiful towers and rooms. However, the issue arises if the foundational bricks themselves are made of flimsy mud or are merely piled up haphazardly. In such a case, the entire castle could crumble at any moment. A gust of wind, a downpour, or even a slight nudge, and it would all be over.

The pursuit of "irreducible truths" is, in essence, about seeking the most robust and dependable "foundation" and "base bricks" for our "castle of knowledge."

In science, these "base bricks" are fundamental physical laws such as the "conservation of energy" and "universal gravitation." Scientists are not content with merely observing phenomena like "an apple falling to the ground"; they continuously delve deeper: Why does it fall? Because of gravity. What is gravity? It's the curvature of spacetime caused by mass. Their aim is to uncover that most fundamental, all-encompassing, and irreducible rule. Once this rule is discovered, we can utilize it to explain and predict countless other phenomena, ranging from planetary orbits to black holes, and even leverage it to construct rockets and satellites. Once you establish the foundation, you can erect truly robust high-rise buildings.

In philosophy, the same principle applies. Consider Descartes' famous dictum, "I think, therefore I am." At that time, he pondered, "Can I doubt everything?" The world I perceive might be an illusion, the sounds I hear hallucinations, and my very body might not exist. He systematically dismantled every notion, ultimately realizing that only one thing remained indubitable and irreducible: the act of "I am doubting" itself. Since I am doubting and thinking, then this "thinking self" must necessarily exist. This became the "irreducible cornerstone" he discovered for his philosophical edifice. From this bedrock, he was able to reconstruct his entire understanding of the world and of God.

So, why are we so fixated on finding this?

1. For a sense of security and certainty. A knowledge system constructed upon such a foundation is the most stable and reliable. It ensures that our cognitive edifice does not easily crumble, providing us with a firm footing when navigating a complex world.
2. For genuine creativity. Only by grasping the most fundamental rules can one truly innovate and solve problems, rather than merely imitating and repeating. Consider a chef: if they only memorize recipes, they will never invent new dishes. However, if they comprehend the underlying principles (first principles) governing the combination of sour, sweet, bitter, salty, and umami, they can create an endless array of culinary delights.
3. For simplicity and elegance. While the world often appears intricate and complex, the underlying laws governing it are frequently remarkably simple. Discovering that most fundamental "one" and then employing it to explain "all things" is, in itself, an endeavor imbued with wisdom and aesthetic appeal.

In essence, this embodies a spirit of thorough inquiry, a refusal to be content with "that's what everyone says," but rather a desire to personally unearth the very source of "how the world truly is."