The salient characteristics of human beings is their  
capacity to employ the qualities of imagination,  
creativity, and inventiveness. When we speak of the  
imagination, creativity, and inventiveness of teams or  
societies, we are using a metaphor or an analogy. We  
mean, for example, that the interaction of the players  
or members leads to an outcome that is like that of  
the imagination, creativity, and inventiveness of an  
individual.  
  
Most of new inventions and ideas that contribute to  
economic growth today are not produced by isolated  
individuals. They are produced through teamwork. But  
the teams are not merely groups of randomly-selected,  
unrelated individuals. The members are practically  
always deliberately assembled (hired) by an employer  
with a vision � one who is imaginative, creative, and  
inventive. The entrepreneur who assembles them  
possesses a special kind of knowledge � knowledge of  
other individuals� knowledge and of their capacity to  
be imaginative, creative, and inventive. The  
entrepreneur too is imaginative, creative, and  
inventive, albeit in a different way.  
  
I wonder whether philosophy is more of a hindrance  
than a help here. It seems to me that turning to  
philosophy may be similar to turning to math. To take  
advantage of knowledge in these fields, it seems to me  
that one should be very mindful of the main goals of  
economics.  
  
  
Pat Gunning