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Philosophy
and Business
Philosophy is
concerned with the deepest and most important questions humans
can ask. But it is also a way of thinking about complex problems
and questions (because the most important questions are inevitably
complex to think about). And it has evolved a methodology for addressing
those problems and questions.
Approaching
problems or questions philosophically involves:
- focusing
on, and analysing, assumptions (especially those that are entrenched
in an organisation's culture)
- looking for weak or invalid links in the
steps between assumptions and conclusions (ie focusing on arguments)
- assessing what evidence is admissible (and
searching for it if not available)
- constructing strategies (ie arguments) which
have firm assumptions, clear and valid steps between assumptions
and conclusions, and conclusions which arise from those assumptions
and steps
- testing conclusions to see if they are robust
- looking for parallels in other organisations
or markets that endorse those conclusions
- constructing thought experiments to test
arguments and conclusions
- being bold enough to follow wherever the
argument takes you, leading to creative and innovative solutions
and clear differentiation from competitors.
As well as using the philosophical approach set out
above, Metamarketing particularly specialises in using phenomenology
to address business issues. Phenomenology is a particular branch
of philosophy with its own outlook and method. Click here
to learn more.
In our view, there is no better way of approaching
major business decisions than to approach them philosophically.
And the best training for this approach is philosophical training,
combined, of course, with a proper understanding of business practice.
©
Martin
Ludlow 2009
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