idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
Nachrichten, Termine, Experten
idw - Informationsdienst
Wissenschaft
In the face of a confluence of environmental, social, and economic challenges—an innovative initiative called PhilosophyGyms is exploring an unusual path to sustainability. By integrating philosophical inquiry into the core of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), PhilosophyGyms aim to equip businesses with new and innovative tools needed to navigate uncertainty and foster triple-wellbeing - individual, collective and planetary health - and sustainability. The project, backed by academic and business leaders across Europe, seeks to empower organizations to address underlying root causes while driving positive change.
In the face of a confluence of environmental, social, and economic challenges—an innovative initiative called PhilosophyGyms is exploring an unusual path to sustainability. By integrating philosophical inquiry into the core of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), PhilosophyGyms aim to equip businesses with new and innovative tools needed to navigate uncertainty and foster triple-wellbeing - individual, collective and planetary health - and sustainability. The project, backed by academic and business leaders across Europe, seeks to empower organizations to address underlying root causes while driving positive change.
The Polycrisis
Today’s global landscape is fraught with what experts call the "polycrisis," a tangled web of crises that include environmental degradation, social disparities, and economic volatility, as well as a decline in mental health. To address these issues, traditional responses often focus on what sustainability scientists call the “outer dimension”, such as technical fixes or policy adjustments. These solutions seem apparent, yet they also often fall short of addressing deeper root causes, our human inner dimensions or mindsets. In the midst of this, SMEs face the challenge of navigating these complexities while running a business. Studies show that nearly 71% of employees feel overwhelmed by job complexity, and according to the World Health Organisation depression contributes to an estimated US$1 trillion loss in productivity globally each year due to absenteeism and diminished performance, echoing the urgent need for new ways of thinking, being and acting amidst rising statutory pressures and unpredictable transformations.
Philosophy as a Cause and Driver of Change
Tapping into centuries-old wisdom, as well as into the latest science, PhilosophyGyms infuse philosophical inquiry into the core of businesses striving for sustainability. PhilosophyGyms don’t merely focus on theoretical pursuit. Instead, the approach challenges participants to reflect, reframe, and respond creatively to uncertain landscapes. By exploring personal and collective philosophies or mindsets, SMEs can unlock new capabilities to tackle wicked problems, that are volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous, through uncovering the deeper questions that determine their decision making and solutions.
Philosophy in Action
How do PhilosophyGyms work? PhilosophyGyms will offer a suite of transformative learning experiences, enabling leaders and employees within SMEs to engage in deep philosophical inquiry to nurture personal growth for triple-wellbeing. Participants explore ethics, responsibility, and systems thinking—tools to confront biases, spark novel solutions, and foster a culture of care within their organizations. "By integrating philosophical dimensions into the fabric of SMEs, we're not just offering another toolset. We're offering inquiries into what lies beyond current tools to help people find new, innovative approaches to sustainability and business resilience," says Jessica Böhme. “The project moves beyond surface-level solutions, addressing the root causes of our societal and ecological challenges, increasing SMEs role in supporting more sustainable futures both within and beyond their own enterprise.”
The project, co-funded by the European Union, brings together a diverse consortium of academic and practical experts. From the academic sphere, Jessica Böhme and Alana Lamberts represent FHM Berlin, alongside Christine Wamsler from Lund University. Complementing them, the practical partners include Katarzyna Mitrut and Artur Mazurek from the consultancy firm Paiz, Daniela Ilcheva from the Yambol Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bulgaria, and Bruna Gomes and Carlos Carvalho from Virtual Campus.
Prof. Dr. Jessica Böhme (she/her)
Fachhochschule des Mittelstands (FHM) Berlin
University of Applied Sciences
Ernst-Reuter-Platz 3-5
10587 Berlin
Fon +49 (0) 176 202 88 264
www.fh-mittelstand.de
jessica.boehme@fh-mittelstand.de
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