How Philosophers Can Be Good Assets For Companies
Updated: 7 days ago
Ms. Tamara Moskal's Synopsis:
Philosophy can be practical, and the rightly chosen logical thinker can be an asset to your company. A subordinated philosopher focusing on financial business structure and human behavior can help you maximize profits by using rhetoric skills and providing evidence-based advice.
They can optimize business strategies like cost cuts and expansion plans. Philosophers are dedicated and ethical counselors who can also provide mental support and even restore faith in life. Hiring the right thinker for your company can be the key to success.
Note: By "philosophers" I don't necessarily refer to people who are professional philosophers, but rather, people with good characteristics that often define a philosopher (Like being good logical thinkers or being able to find unique connections between concepts through creativity). It's possible therefore to become a philosopher when these characteristics are well-developed.
After all, to quote Mr. Nathan Lasher: "A business owner is not going to post a wanted sign asking for a philosopher."
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Can Philosophers Really Help Your Business?
While some may discard the idea, philosophy can have a surprisingly practical impact on the world, especially within your own company. However, not all philosophers are created equal. That is due to three reasons:
Impact and Contribution: Not all philosophers have the same impact on the field of philosophy. Some philosophers propose ground-breaking ideas that change how we think about the world, while others contribute more in-depth within existing schools of thought.
These school of thoughts have different relevancy to the world we live in today, with stoicism being a great example for a popular thought movement.
Quality of Ideas: Not all philosophical arguments are equally strong or well-reasoned. Some philosophers present logical and well-supported ideas, while others might rely on fallacies and/or unclear arguments. As such, part of what makes it hard to understand Nietzsche's work lies in the need to read several of his works. Otherwise, it would be unnecessarily difficult for you to properly understand what he means in specific contexts, leading to an unnecessary degradation of understanding, and even misuse of ideas.
Here's what you need to know before bringing a brainiac on board:
The Right Philosopher for the Job
Forget Karl Marx and his economically-harmful ideas. The philosophers you want on your team are those with a focus on financial benefit and a deep understanding of human behavior.
Essentially, you need someone who can:
Turn Arguments into Profits: Their philosophical musings should be grounded in logic and lead to actionable insights that boost your bottom line: Making profit. Utilitarianism is such an example, as it seeks maximization of actions and choices.
Master the Art of Persuasion: They should understand human psychology and how to use it for your company's success. Many philosophers throughout history actually served in politics. And of course, a good politician is a good rhetorician. Rhetoric can help you as a business leader to increase the impact of your influence.
Offer Sound Advice: A profitable philosopher could also be an excellent advisor. Their recommendations should be based on clear reasoning, solid evidence, and maybe a sprinkle of well-founded speculation.
Respect Authority: While eccentric behavior might be expected, it shouldn't disrupt your workflow. Those, however, who use their intellects to intimidate, as intelligence often intimidates nonetheless, may struggle with subordination. That's because intellects often challenge social conventions, and a good philosopher can lambast anything.
However, philosophers have perks of their own, making them a unique asset when said perks overcome their potential shortcomings.
The Perks of Hiring a Philosopher
So, what can these specially selected thinkers bring to the table?
Flawless Flaw-Finders: Philosophers are natural "logic detectives", adept at spotting fallacies in reasoning. This translates to well-thought-out advice, and to a potential increase of a strategy's benefit. They can fix a plan's theoratical failure, thus preventing that failure from occuring upon execution. At the very least they can significantly reduce chances of a plan's failing.
Motivation Masters: Many non-nihilist philosophers are driven by a strong belief system. This translates to a fierce work ethic and a dedication to your company's success, especially if they believe in your mission. A strong leader could use strong supporters.
Wise Wielders of Wisdom: Need help navigating a sticky business situation? A philosopher can offer invaluable advice, particularly when complex reasoning and clear communication are crucial. A "council of advisors" approach could be especially effective in enabling a successful deal to come into fruition.
Cost-Cutting Champions: Philosophers often value efficiency, as efficiency is the logical priority to attain. By analyzing your processes, they might identify unnecessary steps, saving you money in the long run. It's the same money you can invest elsewhere, and invest wisely.
Proficient Perspective Providers: As trained thinkers (whether by life or academically), they can bring unexpected solutions and expand your vision as a leader, propelling your business forward.
Helpers of Hope: If nihilism isn't their philosophy, they can act as competent guardians against employee hopelessness and even prevent tragedies of the mental kind. It's all through well-reasoned arguments and support. Yes, philosophy can be used to restore one's faith in being alive. If anything, that is the most practical asset a philosopher can be.
Choose Wisely
The key takeaway is that not all philosophers are created equal. Stay clear of impractical philosophers, and focus on those who can contribute to your financial success. After all, you're running a business, not a philosophy club (Unless you have a philosophy blog?).
By carefully selecting a philosopher (or a team of them!), you can tap into a hidden wellspring of practical wisdom, propelling your company to greater heights. So, the next time you think philosophy is just pretentious pondering of unpopular people, remember: The right thinker could be the key to your success.
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