Between Philosophy and Practice: Edgar Morin's Complex Thought and the Inspiration Economy Methodology

Abstract

This paper explores the theoretical and practical intersections between Edgar Morin's philosophy of complexity and Mohamed Buheji's Inspiration Economy framework. Drawing on the extensive body of Buheji's publications (2017-2026) and Morin's foundational texts, including Lessons from a Century of Life and The Method, the paper argues that Buheji's methodological innovations—particularly Inspiration Labs, Differential Diagnosis, and the concept of "influencing without power"—operationalise Morin's complex thought principles in the domain of socio-economic problem-solving. The analysis demonstrates that the Inspiration Economy framework represents a significant contribution to making complex thought actionable in real-world settings, addressing "wicked problems" ranging from youth unemployment to post-pandemic recovery and geopolitical conflict.

This study begins with the premise that the relationship between the two philosophical projects, according to (Deleuze, 1994), who defines philosophy as the capacity to create concepts, is based on epistemological integration rather than direct historical influence. While Morin work represents a cognitive framework for understanding complexity, Buheji work represents the practical framework for implementing this understanding in developmental practice. Using an analytical-synthetic approach, the study proposes the concept of "latent potential" as an intermediary link between complexity and value production, thus allowing for a rethinking of the relationship between knowledge and development in contemporary societies.

The paper concludes that the dialogue between Morin's philosophical foundations and Buheji's practical methodology offers a pathway toward more effective engagement with the complex challenges of our time, which is becoming increasingly full of complexity.

Keywords: Complexity, Complex Thought, Inspiration Economy, Edgar Morin, Mohamed Buheji, Multidisciplinary Thinking, Epistemological Horizon, Wicked Problems, Resilience, Capability Approach, Inspiration Labs, Hermeneutics, Ontological Analysis, Differential Diagnosis