Unleashing the Imagination of the Creative Entrepreneur

: Dewey’s critique of capitalism centered on the concentration of economic power, the commodification of education, and the corrosive effects of consumerism. However, as McVea argues in this chapter, Dewey’s pragmatist philosophy aligns with alternative economic approaches, such as Austrian economics, which emphasize the entrepreneur’s role in navigating an evolving, uncertain world. As McVea shows, a Deweyan perspective highlights the role of imagination in entrepreneurial decision-making. Entrepreneurs, like artists, engage in dramatic rehearsal, mentally simulating potential futures and harmonizing their ventures with stakeholders and changing environments. This imaginative deliberation is not fantasy but a grounded, experimental process that fosters ethical engagement and continuous adaptation. Rather than maximizing financial returns, the pragmatist entrepreneur seeks to create and recreate harmony among stakeholders. McVea concludes that by integrating ethical reflection into decision-making, entrepreneurs can drive innovation while fostering human flourishing. This approach challenges conventional university business education, calling for new curricula that cultivate moral imagination and responsible value creation.