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Knowledge Management and the Philosophical Value of Knowledge

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Handbook of Virtue Ethics in Business and Management

Part of the book series: International Handbooks in Business Ethics ((IHBE))

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Abstract

The increasing importance of knowledge management (KM) calls for a satisfactory analysis of the definition and value of knowledge. In this article, this analysis is made by parsing the concepts of knowledge and information from a philosophical viewpoint. It is argued, in the first place, that having knowledge is a subject-dependent ability and that, as such, knowledge should be more valuable than information. The organizational policy about knowledge should primarily aim to gather personal knowledge. Secondly, the value of knowledge within philosophy is shown from a historical perspective. Thirdly, it is argued that the pursuit of knowledge is oriented to practical wisdom, which Aristotle conceives of as the knowledge of what is best or most appropriate in human affairs. Since practical wisdom is central to organizations, the cooperation between KM and philosophy should lead organizations to better recognize “practical wisdom opportunities,” that is, opportunities to identify and foster best choices.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mind-brain: Biology and Subjectivity in Philosophy and Contemporary Neuroscience, Institute for Culture and Society, University of Navarra, Edificio de Bibliotecas, 31009, Pamplona, Spain

    Miguel Garcia-Valdecasas

Authors
  1. Miguel Garcia-Valdecasas
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Miguel Garcia-Valdecasas .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Economics and Business Administration, University of Navarra, Pamplona, Spain

    Alejo José G. Sison

  2. Department of Philosophy, Saint Louis University , St. Louis, Missouri, USA

    Gregory R. Beabout

  3. School of Economics and Business Administration, Business Department, University of Navarra, Pamploma, Spain

    Ignacio Ferrero

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Garcia-Valdecasas, M. (2017). Knowledge Management and the Philosophical Value of Knowledge. In: Sison, A., Beabout, G., Ferrero, I. (eds) Handbook of Virtue Ethics in Business and Management. International Handbooks in Business Ethics. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6510-8_126

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