&gt; These are not first principles. These are premises used to establish the logic that follows.<p>Aren&#x27;t those the same thing?<p>It seems the author is referring to core beliefs or premises that the business was found on, as well as relationships in the team. The point is to get to &#x27;truths&#x27; everyone agrees upon. Not unlike first principles in physics - you just assume because of the amount of evidence, that say, thermodynamic laws are true, and everyone can agree on that.