Revised: 5-14-08

 

The Philosophy Background in the Business Press

 

In my work in business journalism, I have drawn on many facets of my education in philosophy. All of my courses have added a slightly different perspective from which to measure events happening in the worlds of business and government, from biomedical ethics to the philosophy of government of the ancient Greeks. These studies have fostered a set of skills beyond the practical knowledge a journalist needs, and which he or she can acquire via additional courses, or on the job. They are the following:

 

 

• To be keenly curious
• To get into a subject quickly; study and understand it; form and ask the correct questions and come to a conclusion if necessary
• Sift through a myriad of facts and information and outline the story that emerges from the research
• Relate to and interact effectively with all people, from a gasoline “pump jockey” to the president of an international company
• Describe in layman’s terms what may be a complex and difficult subject, or the essence of a problem or conflict
• Bring people into your confidence; to foster trust and cooperation
• Think logically and arrange information and ideas in a sequence that is easy to understand.

 

The study of philosophy has helped me develop in all of these areas, as well as to understand and appreciate diverse people and their professions. Journalism is a people business. Much of our raw material is the stuff of peoples’ minds, their dreams and visions as well as their tragedies and defeats. Philosophy helps me to sort out conflicting opinions and ideas, and to present them to readers in an orderly and clear fashion.

 

One cannot write clearly if one cannot think clearly. Many student interns falter in this field, not so much because they cannot write but because they cannot think clearly. Good writing is good thinking. There are few if any other disciplines that foster keenness of thought as does the study of philosophy.

 

Bill Cannon

 

Former Editor-in-Chief, Motor Age Magazine

Graduate Assistant, English Department;

West Chester University; West Chester, PA

bcannon.pro@comcast.net