What does philosophy have to do with disruptive and radical technical innovations?
- Alan Lučić
- Feb 12
- 2 min read
I had the opportunity to answer this question over the past year. As an alumnus of the Technical University of Munich (TUM), I fully understand the intention of TUM (https://shorturl.at/b1hz3 ), and I am glad to be on the same innovation path. In 2023, I worked in Croatia on a consortium structuring project with Professor Hrvoje Stančić. In this project, we included the Faculty of Philosophy, University of Zagreb, FER, and industrial partners, intending to promote fundamental philosophical research as a basis for a different approach to designing disruptive and radical technical innovations in the field of digital certificate cryptography.

However, the development of such complex innovations requires a broader social consensus, especially in the ideation phase, because it can direct the development towards the optimal dynamics of adoption and diffusion, which is crucial for the sustainability of innovations. This is precisely why philosophy plays a key role in designing disruptive and radical technical innovations, providing a fundamental framework for conceptual research and critical thinking. Philosophical analysis examines the fundamental assumptions, values, and ethical implications underlying innovations that contribute to the development of new perspectives and creative solutions.
Furthermore, philosophy fosters transdisciplinarity, enabling interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of different perspectives, thereby enriching the ideation process and facilitating a holistic approach to solving complex societal challenges. One of the most common mistakes I see when working with innovators from different faculties is subjectivity within their technology verticals. This can unwittingly drive development towards a functional prototype, which subsequently fails to achieve the ideal adoption and diffusion curve. In addition to wasting resources, examining an innovation within just one vertical often ignores the potential that could be realized in a completely different technological or market context. Such technologies end up trapped in technology transfer drawers, leaving innovators uncertain about their future development.
That is why the involvement of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences of the University of Zagreb and its partners was an excellent step in promoting transdisciplinary innovation. This project reminded me of the importance of following the further development of TUM's story, which can serve as inspiration for future innovation projects.
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