Some of the most useful ideas in life do not come from complicated scientific theories. They come from simple observations about human behaviour, problems, responsibility and decision-making.
You may have heard of Murphy’s Law, but there are several other popular principles — including Kidlin’s, Wilson’s, Falkland’s and Gilbert’s laws — that offer interesting ways to think about everyday situations.
These are informal principles rather than scientific laws, but they can still provide useful lessons for work, relationships, business and personal growth.
1. Murphy’s Law — Things Can Go Wrong: “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” Murphy’s Law is probably the best-known of the five. The idea is not necessarily that the universe is conspiring against you. Rather, it reminds us that failure is always a possibility, particularly when a system has several things that can go wrong.
Imagine preparing for an important presentation. Your laptop is fully charged, your slides are ready and you arrive early. Then the projector stops working. Murphy’s Law encourages you to prepare for the unexpected.
The lesson: Good preparation includes a backup plan. In business, that might mean keeping copies of important documents. In travel, it could mean allowing extra time. In everyday life, it simply means accepting that perfection is never guaranteed.
2. Kidlin’s Law — Write the Problem Down: Kidlin’s Law is commonly expressed as: “If you can write the problem down clearly, you can solve it.” The principle highlights the power of putting a confusing problem into precise words. A problem often feels enormous when it is only floating around inside your head. Writing it down forces you to separate facts, assumptions and emotions.
For example: Instead of thinking – “Everything is going wrong at work.” You might write – “I am missing three deadlines because I am receiving more tasks than I can complete within the available time.” Suddenly, the problem becomes much more specific. And once the problem is clearly defined, possible solutions become easier to identify.
The lesson: Clarity is often the first step towards a solution.
3. Wilson’s Law — Learn Before You Judge: Wilson’s Law is often paraphrased as – “If you want to understand something, learn as much as you can about it.” The idea is particularly relevant in the age of social media, where people can form strong opinions after reading a headline or watching a short video.
Knowledge changes the quality of your judgement. If you want to understand investing, study how markets work. If you want to understand history, look beyond a single version of events. If you want to understand another person’s profession, learn what their daily responsibilities actually involve.
The lesson: The more you understand the less dependent you are on assumptions. Knowledge does not guarantee that you will always be right, but it gives you a stronger foundation for making decisions.
4. Falkland’s Law — Sometimes Doing Nothing Is a Decision: Falkland’s Law is commonly stated as – “When you don’t have to make a decision, don’t make it.” We often assume that every problem requires an immediate answer. But sometimes, rushing creates a bigger problem. Suppose you are considering buying an expensive product but are unsure whether you actually need it. Waiting a few days may reveal that the desire was temporary.
The same principle can apply to difficult conversations, business decisions and major purchases. There is a difference between deliberately waiting and simply avoiding responsibility. Falkland’s Law is about recognising when additional information or time could improve a decision.
The lesson: Not every decision needs to be made immediately. Sometimes patience is part of good judgement.
5. Gilbert’s Law — Your Job Is to Find the Best Way Forward: Gilbert’s Law is often expressed as – “The biggest problem at work is that no one tells you what you are supposed to do.” The broader idea is that people are frequently expected to identify problems, understand what needs doing and find practical solutions themselves.
In modern workplaces, this can be especially relevant. A job description might tell you your responsibilities, but real situations rarely arrive with perfectly written instructions.
Successful problem-solving therefore involves asking:
- What is actually wrong?
- What outcome is required?
- What resources are available?
- What can I control?
- What is the most practical next step?
The lesson: Don’t wait for every answer to be handed to you. Learn to identify the problem and work towards a solution.
What These Five Laws Have in Common? : Although these principles come from different traditions and are not formal laws of nature, they share a surprisingly practical theme.
| Principle | Main idea | Practical lesson |
| Murphy’s Law | Problems can happen unexpectedly | Prepare for failure |
| Kidlin’s Law | Clearly defining a problem helps | Write it down |
| Wilson’s Law | Knowledge improves understanding | Learn before judging |
| Falkland’s Law | Not every decision is urgent | Know when to wait |
| Gilbert’s Law | Problems often require initiative | Find a practical solution |
Together, they create a simple approach to everyday life: Expect uncertainty. Define the problem. Learn the facts. Avoid unnecessary haste. Then take practical action.
Final Thoughts: The world does not operate according to five simple rules, and these ideas should not be treated as scientific laws. Their value is more practical: they give us mental shortcuts for dealing with uncertainty and difficult situations.
- When something goes wrong, Murphy’s Law reminds you to expect the unexpected.
- When a problem feels overwhelming, Kidlin’s Law encourages you to define it.
- When you are tempted to judge, Wilson’s Law points towards knowledge.
- When a decision feels rushed, Falkland’s Law reminds you that waiting can sometimes be sensible.
- And when nobody gives you a perfect set of instructions, Gilbert’s Law encourages you to think for yourself.
Sometimes, a better way of living begins with simply looking at the same problem from a different angle.
