Following Relecture 6 which featured Karl Polanyi, this Lesson looks at the works of his brother, Michael Polanyi, a polymath who made important contributions to the theory of physical chemistry. Later on he turned to the social sciences, in particular economics, and finally as a philosopher Michael Polanyi developed an integrative theory of knowledge – an alternative to mainstream theories. Discover this original thinker

Philosophical, Ethical and Practical Ideas for Management: Karl Popper was probably the most wide-ranging philosopher of the past century. Ever since his youth he addressed social and political questions. In his famous book The Open Society and Its Enemies (1945) and subsequent works he analysed the nature of democracy and its aberrations. Austrian-born Sir Karl Popper — unlike his German contemporaries — advocated simplicity and clarity. He made it his duty to speak and write as clearly as possible. The code of professional ethics that he formulated for responsibles in politics, society and administration, and thus indirectly also for managers, is of timeless validity.

Schumpeter is renowned as the economist who invented the expression "creative destruction". Schumpeter ranks, together with Keynes, as the outstanding economist of the 20th century. But what do we really know about this multi-faceted economist: of his disjointed life or comprehensive analyses of entrepreneurship and the dynamics of the market economy?

What kind of a man was it who, after surviving the horrors of Nazi death camps, was able to advocate conciliation? What teachings of this great psychotherapist are still relevant for our day and age which he predicted so well? What lessons can we learn from Frankl about leading our lives and companies?

Forty years after the publication of his best seller we recall the insights on human development of this legendary scientist. The 'Father of the Grey Geese' was not only a universal scientist of animal behavior, he was also a keen observer of humanity and societies. Here we reconsider Konrad Lorenz's perspectives, especially on economics and politics.