Sony UX Developer Takes "Philosophical Innovator Training Course," Finds "Philosophy" as a "Partner" for Deepening Thought

Ayako Chiba, who works on UX development at Sony Corporation, participated in the three-month intensive course "Philosophical Innovator Training Course" (Note 1), designed to foster the ability to decipher new signs.

Participant Interview Article

Note 1: The "Philosophical Innovator Training Course" is a three-month intensive course that cultivates the ability to decipher new signs (precursors to change and business opportunities found within oneself, one's company, or society).

Ms. Chiba from the UX Development Department

Background and Expectations: We've Reached a Point Where Chasing Numbers Alone Isn't Enough to Win

(Excerpts from an interview with Ms. Chiba of Sony Corporation below)

Ms. Chiba: My team has consistently engaged in customer understanding activities. We accompany them in the field, conduct thorough research, and listen intently to user feedback. We take pride in creating products and services through such processes.

However, I had a sense that we've reached a point where simply chasing what is visible as "numbers" or "words" is no longer enough to win. I felt that what we should be competing on next is exploring the "deep layer of the user" that lies beneath. I thought philosophy might hold the key to this, and with that expectation, I decided to participate.

Program Content: Cultivating the Ability to Decipher New Signs

The course consisted of a six-session, three-month program aimed at refining participants' "way of seeing things" and fostering the ability to decipher new signs (precursors to change and business opportunities found within oneself, one's company, or society). After each session, philosophers active not only in academia but also in the business world created "Philosophical Analysis Reports" (Note 2) that delved deeper into participants' statements and provided hints for further thought.

Workshop Scene

Note 2: If you are interested in the content of the reports, please contact us via the "Inquiry Form" below.

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Effects

Philosophy Allows Me to Transcend the Limits of My Own Thinking

Ms. Chiba: Before taking the course, I used to organize my thoughts by writing them down in a notebook. This approach led me to a dead end at the limit of my thinking, where I'd stop and think, "I can't understand any further." But I learned that philosophy exists beyond that point of "not understanding." When I read the Philosophical Analysis Reports and realized that someone in the past had thought deeply about the very sense of unease I felt, framing it as a "question," I felt like philosophy had become a "partner" in deepening my thought process. Now, by turning my vague feelings into questions, I can delve a step deeper without stopping my thinking.

Understanding the Common Essence of Humanity Deepens My Understanding of Differences Between Myself and Others

Ms. Chiba: By delving deeply into an individual and reaching their common essence, I can, as a result, gain a deeper understanding of the differences between myself and others. I feel that having this perspective will be a great asset, both in my UX work of exploring the user's deep layer and in my management role as a section chief.

Participant Interview Article

・ Transcending the Limits of Logic: Sony's UX Developer Discovers "Philosophy" as a "Partner" for Deepening Thought

Article URL: https://note.com/tetsugaku_cloud/n/naef85a5170ef?sub_rt=share_pw

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【ShiruBe Inc. Company Overview】

Our representative, Mr. Kamidate, founded the company with the desire to deliver opportunities for many people to live authentically, stemming from his own experience of feeling burdened by the "correctness" of "shoulds" while studying philosophy, which ultimately saved him.

・Company Name: ShiruBe Inc.

・Representative: Seiya Kamidate, Representative Director

・Address: 2F co-lab Gotanda with JPRE S01, Gotanda JP Building, 8-4-13 Nishi-Gotanda, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

・Establishment Date: April 15, 2022 ・Business Content: Philosophical Consulting

Official note

【Inquiries Regarding This Matter】

ShiruBe Inc. (Contact: Yuasa)

・TEL: 090-2090-5951

・MAIL: press@tetsugaku-cloud.jp