The Observer is Central: Why Philosophy Matters for Data

When looking at data with philosophy in mind, there are insights that can be projected from philosophy to business in general, and data specifically.

Philosophy and data seem like two completely disparate fields. Philosophy works with all possible types of input, while in analytics, we are limited to the data relevant to our business. However, the parallels are deep and practical.

The Observer is Central (Kant)

Immanuel Kant had the insight not to start from the objects in the world to examine how an observer gains knowledge about them, but the other way around. In data, this means that data is never “neutral.” It is always captured through a specific lens, for a specific purpose, by a specific observer.

If you don’t understand the “observer” (the business context, the human bias, the strategic intent), your data models will always be flawed.

Logic vs Storytelling

A purely logical and numbers-driven way to approach your business will always fall short. You need to complement it with emotion and storytelling to drive decisions. Data philosophy helps us understand how to bridge the gap between a database row and a CEO’s decision.

A practical example of this was my recent work with an accountancy firm, where we stopped a technical project to refocus on the “human” element of data quality. See how philosophy bridges engineering and culture.

Download the eBook: Philosophers in Data

I have written a short eBook on how to apply philosophical frameworks to modern data challenges. From Rawls’ “Veil of Ignorance” in data ethics to Top-down vs Bottom-up strategies.

Get your copy of “Philosophers in Data” below:

Ready to go deeper?

My Advisory Services are built entirely on these philosophical foundations. If you want a strategic sparring partner who asks the questions others miss, let’s connect.