First Principles

Learning Objectives

• Breaking problems into basic truths, separating assumptions from facts, simplifying complex ideas, thinking creatively, and rebuilding stronger solutions.

Activity 1 (Strip It Down)

Data

Setup

Choose a simple problem and write it on the board.

Use these problem prompts:

• Our team keeps wasting time before starting
• The group cannot agree on a plan
• A task feels too hard to begin
• We need a better way to organize materials
• We want to improve attendance at the activity

How to Play

1. Divide shabab into teams.
2. Give one problem prompt to each team.
3. Teams answer 3 questions: What is the real problem? What is definitely true? What is only assumed?
4. Teams reduce the problem into 2 or 3 basic truths.
5. Each team shares its stripped-down version.

Sample Answers for Murabbi

• The real problem is not laziness alone; the group may not have a clear starting step.
• The real problem is not disagreement alone; the group may lack a shared goal.
• The real problem is not difficulty alone; the task may need smaller steps.
• The real problem is not bad attendance alone; the schedule or reminder system may be weak.

Murabbi Notes

Push the teams to remove extra words and focus on what is actually true. This helps them stop guessing too early.

Activity 2 (Rebuild the Solution)

Data

Setup

Take the stripped-down problem and ask the team to build a new solution from the bottom up.

Use these rebuild prompts:

• Start from the smallest useful step
• Remove anything unnecessary
• Add only what solves the core problem
• Keep the plan simple enough to repeat

How to Play

1. Give each team one stripped-down problem.
2. Teams create a solution using only the core facts.
3. They must present it in 3 steps or fewer.
4. Murabbi checks whether the solution actually addresses the root issue.

Creative Challenge

Ask teams to improve the plan by removing one extra step and explaining why it is not needed.

Sample Answers for Murabbi

• If the issue is unclear starting steps, the solution may be: write the first action, assign a leader, and begin.
• If the issue is disagreement, the solution may be: define the goal, list 2 options, and choose one by shura.
• If the issue is a hard task, the solution may be: split it into small parts, assign roles, and begin with the easiest part.
• If the issue is bad attendance, the solution may be: send reminders early, set a clear time, and make the lesson more welcoming.

Murabbi Notes

Do not let the teams overcomplicate the answer. First principles should make things simpler, not more confusing.