What if Business & Design really is another wording for Ratio & Intellectus?

Victoria Cleverby
Aug 27, 2017 · 2 min read

An idea!
Or rather, a question;
What if Business & Design really is another wording for Ratio & Intellectus?

The philosophical term Ratio refers to the capacity to consciously make sense of things by applying logic. Today often found in the word “rationality”, ratio is the calculating part of the sense that establishes and verify facts based on information as it knows how to weight, measure and calculate.

The philosophical term Intellectus refers to what we not yet come to understand. Intellectus is always on the boarder on what we do not understand and asks the questions that begin with “What?”; “What is life?”, “What is knowledge?” “What do I know?”etc.

According to the philosopher Cusanus (old guy, lived in the 1400’s) human reason is created when ratio exists together with intellectus, and these two are needed together to create new knowledge.

Here I would like to point out that a balance between these two is something to strive for, both within ourselves as human beings with human reason, but also in society at large with our collective reason. Today we live in a society which is predominantly ratio, hence creating calculating systems that take up a great part of our lives while giving them names such as “New Public Management”. But in a body (societal or human) with a balance between ratio and Intellectus, the intellectus would ask the questions and the ratio would help answer them without taking shortcuts by cutting costs.

This collaborative energy I also find in Business & Design. As I often look upon design as way to create visions, an Eldorado to grasp for in a distance, business then becomes the vehicle that is needed in order to get there. But there is a balance to this part too, too much design and the distance become too far, too much business and the ride goes too fast and misses its exit.

So maybe Ratio & Intellectus as well as Business & Design is two seemingly separate subjects that when fully balanced creates new knowledge?

This post was inspired by the talk of philosopher Jonna Bornemark, listen here (Swedish only)

Thoughts on Business & Design

Thoughts on Business & Design is a publication edited by the designers Victoria Cleverby and Ana Paula Lafaire. It is meant to create a greater understanding of what the field of “Business & Design” may encompass. If you wan’t to contribute, please get in touch!

)
Victoria Cleverby

Written by

Victoria Cleverby is currently a master student in Business & Design at the university of Gothenburg in Sweden. She is also the founder of Studio Nandaro.

Thoughts on Business & Design

Thoughts on Business & Design is a publication edited by the designers Victoria Cleverby and Ana Paula Lafaire. It is meant to create a greater understanding of what the field of “Business & Design” may encompass. If you wan’t to contribute, please get in touch!

Welcome to a place where words matter. On Medium, smart voices and original ideas take center stage - with no ads in sight. Watch
Follow all the topics you care about, and we’ll deliver the best stories for you to your homepage and inbox. Explore
Get unlimited access to the best stories on Medium — and support writers while you’re at it. Just $5/month. Upgrade