According to an analysis by the Nikkei newspaper, the number of professionals on LinkedIn, the business-focused social network, with "ethics" or "philosophy" in their skills or job titles has increased sixfold over the past five years. This is no coincidence. Global tech giants like Google and Apple have begun hiring philosophers as full-time employees, bringing a 2,500-year-old academic discipline to the forefront of modern business.

The old adage that "philosophy doesn't pay the bills" may soon be a relic of the past. The advent of AI and the growing importance of governance and compliance have highlighted the need for experts who can bring new perspectives to organizations.

The Role of In-House Philosophers: "Analyzing and Challenging Organizational Culture"

Philosophy researcher Koya Sasaki served as an in-house philosopher from 2019 to 2022, holding an auditor's post at a company made up mainly of certified public accountants and engineers. He describes his work as "similar to what an anthropologist does."

"Every company has its own unique culture, with implicit assumptions about what is considered good or bad in behavior and values. My role wasn't to criticize these from a purely moral standpoint, but rather to systematically understand how they function and then question them," Sasaki explains.

Working in the real world, he notes, involves "a direct confrontation with society that researchers don't experience in the academic game of publications. While I sometimes reference philosophical theories, fundamentally I must engage directly, questioning and challenging the people in front of me without intermediaries."

Philosophy's "Danger" and Concerns About Business Application

Tosei Moriwaki, a philosophy researcher and critic, emphasizes the "danger" inherent in philosophy. "Philosophy began when Socrates was deemed 'dangerous' and sentenced to death. In a sense, it started as a rebellion against society. Throughout history, it has sometimes served social justice and sometimes opposed it."

Moriwaki warns against reducing philosophy to terms like compliance or creativity. He argues that the essence of philosophy encompasses deeper questioning and critical thinking that cannot be contained within simple business tools.

Why Do Companies Need Philosophy Now?

With AI advancement automating many jobs, the era of simply "doing what you're told" or "producing goods" is reaching its limits. In today's world of diverse lifestyles and values, businesses need skills to tackle "problems without clear answers."

Companies must differentiate themselves, establish unique worldviews, and express distinctive visions. Philosophical thinking begins by asking "Why?" and "What's the fundamental question?", challenging assumptions and thinking critically. Keep questioning around what genuinely interests you, and a mind less bound by existing concepts starts to take shape.

The Role of Philosophers in AI Ethics and Governance

As AI development and deployment advance, companies face new ethical challenges. Issues like liability in self-driving car accidents, copyright infringement by generative AI, and algorithmic bias present problems that may not violate laws but could face social rejection.

Progressive companies are establishing AI ethics committees that include not only executives but also external experts like university professors. In Japan, Fujitsu has established an AI Ethics Governance Office, one example of company-wide efforts spreading among Japanese firms.

These bodies bring together people with diverse expertise: not just legal and technical knowledge, but also philosophy. Philosophers play a crucial role in posing fundamental questions about the balance between technical possibilities and ethical appropriateness.

Challenges and Opportunities for Philosophy in Japan

In the West, philosophy graduates like French President Emmanuel Macron and American entrepreneur Peter Thiel have risen to leadership positions in politics and business. In France, philosophy is studied from high school, with widespread public understanding of the discipline.

In Japan, philosophical consulting hasn't yet gained mainstream acceptance. However, for companies seeking innovation, new initiatives, or strategic pivots, philosophical thinking offers highly compatible approaches.

Some Japanese small and medium enterprises are attempting to turn all employees into philosophers. This reflects recognition that truly understanding philosophy's utility and significance matters more than simply pursuing innovation.

The Indispensable "Power to Question" in Future Business

Is the corporate philosopher merely a "mascot hire" or a true agent of change with a genuinely different perspective? The answer depends on how seriously each company commits to embedding philosophical thinking in its organization.

In the AI era, the ability to form opinions on questions without clear answers, and to pose fundamental ones, will only grow more valuable. Philosophical thinking is not a framework that monetizes overnight, but by retraining how an organization thinks, it can drive real transformation. That is a distinctly human capacity that AI cannot easily replace.