first principle

• Vérité, loi ou hypothèse fondamentale qui sert de base à un système de croyances, de raisonnement ou de recherche scientifique ; principe de base qui ne peut être dérivé d'aucun autre principe.

A fundamental truth, law, or assumption that serves as the foundation for a system of belief, reasoning, or scientific inquiry; a basic proposition that cannot be deduced from any other proposition.

1. Fundamental truth or lawC1formal

   A basic, foundational proposition or assumption that cannot be deduced from any other proposition or assumption.

   premier principe

   • In physics, Newton's laws of motion are considered first principles.
   • The engineer solved the problem by reasoning from first principles.
   • To truly understand the subject, you must go back to first principles.

2. Basic element of reasoningC1formal

   A self-evident proposition that forms the starting point of a chain of reasoning.

   premier principe

   • The philosopher argued from first principles about the nature of reality.
   • In mathematics, axioms are the first principles of a system.
   • The course teaches students to think from first principles rather than relying on analogies.