Pragmatism, Philosophy, or Both?

Americans are famous for their value of pragmatism and the “anti-intellectualism” that is an offshoot of this pioneer, frontier need to be practical.  Who has time for philosophy (“screw your head on and off again without knowing that you have done it”) when there are trees to cut, fields to plow, barns and homes to build before the onset of winter?  Famed political scientist Richard Hofstadter documents the sources and impact of this anti-intellectualism on Americans in his seminal study Anti-Intellectualism in American Life (1966).  Therefore, it would not be surprising if most, if not all, of the students who enroll in course are wondering at the start of the course:   What does philosophy have to do with the “real world” of practice, leadership? 

In fact, as the course unfolds, students will discover for themselves that what we value, our leadership philosophy has huge implications for how present and potential followers will respond to us as leaders.  Followers want to know if we really believe in what we say, or are we just another “fast-talking” fake, phony, fraud who “talks” but never “walks the talk” when times of testing of their espoused values come. In other words, values decide what we will defend or abandon under pressure, and we can count on relentless pressures in our chaotic and complex times – especially on leaders.  Others are watching.  How we defend and promote consistent sets of values, our philosophy, determine their response to us.  

Are we actually willing to put our careers “on the line” for what we value deep down in the core of our being?  This question is at the heart of this course; the assignments help students to discover their own core values and assess how their values align or clash with salient workplace challenges to them.  For example, in our chaotic and complex times, how much risk are we willing to take in making leadership decisions?  How much do we value risk as a factor in decision making for ourselves – and for others?  

This course challenges students to reflect on what is really of value to them and how such values can provide a sure foundation for forming a vital philosophy of leadership for adult education.   It provides students with time-tested, field-tested techniques for ongoing strengthening of their philosophy of leadership through career development practices like systematic professional journaling.  As the course evolves, students will come to understand that creating and nurturing a leadership philosophy for adult education is, in fact, hard, practical, pragmatic preparation for career success in the “real world.”      

Reference

Hofstadter, R. (1966).  Anti-Intellectualism in American Life.  New York:  Vintage Books.