The Ordinary Concept of Inspiration

Abstract

This paper presents an inquiry into the ontology of inspiration, that is, how we conceive the nature of
inspiration. Prior attempts to explain inspiration often tend to refer to something abstract or divine.
Instead, this paper argues for a more practical and immanent understanding of inspiration based on a
small experiment revealing that 87% of business students associate inspiration with two components:
Challenge and something ‘unknown’. In light of this result, this paper discusses the organizational and
managerial implication regarding, how to inspire the individual.
Keywords: Affirmative practice, Experimental philosophy, Inspiration, Organizing.