This pioneering anthology maps the emerging field of philosophical approaches to business consulting through a rich collection of real-world case studies. Drawing on the work of international contributors who are both philosophers and experienced business practitioners, each case study demonstrates how philosophical approaches uncover and transform challenges in strategy, leadership, corporate culture, and beyond.
From Aristotle to Foucault, from blind spots in engineering projects to AI dilemmas and strategic misalignment, these diverse cases show how philosophical inquiry generates fresh, actionable insights for organizations and consultants alike. The volume provides a clear and accessible entry point into a field that has long operated under the radar, offering both theoretical depth and practical relevance.
Whether you are a researcher, consultant, or business leader, this book opens new pathways for rigorous thinking and provides practical insights for todays complex business environment.
Introduction.- Part I: Innovation, Creativity and Aesthetics.-
Levels-Of-Abstraction Reconceptualisation as a Method for Ethical and
Strategic Innovation in Philosophical Consulting: A Case Study in
(Re)Insurance, Parametric Agricultural Risk, and Human Development.- Decisive
Philosophy: The Rationale and Potential of Philosophically Informed Strategy
Development in Business.- Foundations for a Strong Future: A Case Study of an
Aesthetics Workshop Michael Spicher.- Interview: Christine Jakobson on
Philosophical Approaches to Business Consulting.- Part II: Culture, Knowledge
and Critical Thinking.- Culture is the Organizational Blind Spot: Three Case
Studies That Argue for a Nietzschean Re-Evaluation of Culture-Strategy
Alignment in Business Consulting.- The Transilient and Attractor Effect of
Philosophy in Business: An Italian Case.- Interview: Charles Spinosa on
Philosophical Approaches to Business Consulting.- Part III: Political Theory,
Justice and Governance.- Philosophical Consulting in Construction
Engineering.- Employee Turnover from an Aristotelian Perspective: A Business
Consulting Case Study.- Interview: Verena Rauen on Philosophical Approaches
to Business Consulting.- Section IV: Meaningful Work and Purpose.-
Philosophical Consultations on Meaningful Work.- A Corporate Philosopher in
Two Brazilian Organizations: Challenges, Changes and Resistance.- Interview:
Brennan Jacoby on Philosophical Approaches to Business Consulting.
Sören E. Schuster is a researcher at the intersection of philosophy and economics/business. During his doctorate at Freiburg University, he examined Nietzsches engagement with economic thinkers and explored its relevance for contemporary economic philosophy. He is currently a research associate at the Ethical Mining project at Berlin University of Applied Sciences and Technology (BHT) and lectures at the Free University of Bolzano and Witten/Herdecke University. As a fellow of the Institut für Wirtschaftsgestaltung in Berlin, he has initiated and led projects on the Chief Philosophy Officer and Philosophical Approaches to Business Consulting. In addition to his academic work, he advises companies on cultural and strategic issues.
