Strategy: science or art?

Shahab Sabahi
Energy and Environment for Development – Policy Analysis Research Group


This piece is a part of my discussion on "Creating  body of knowledge for strategy" in Society of Strategic Planning. It just reflects a pure view through the lens of Philosophy of Science. It should not be regarded as an educational expert view. (part of critical thinking development discourse)

To me (perhaps like you Peter) strategy falls in the realm of axiomatic concept albeit as a case specific truth. Strategy as an axiomatic proposition is one (an epistemology perspective) that being known to be true only by understanding its meaning without proof.  No proof or possible proof in distance future makes strategy difficult to perfectly fit in the scientific sphere. We have to also keep in our minds that certain forms of argument from axiom are considered fallacious or abusive in scientific debate and different contexts.

However analytic propositions have been well established in strategic planning and strategic management and such (strategy with suffix), ultimately contains of strategy itself are only verbal truths and valid in specific context. Furthermore strategy may be regarded as the secret of success for a firm who does not have any intention to share it with others.

The value of strategists’ contribution is as important as scientists and artisans. Although strategists may not be scientists, strategists are talented in bringing ideas from conception to reality. They expect perfection from themselves as well as other intellectuals so long as they are competent to see the whole picture. Strategists may prefer to stay in the background while leading strategies, knowledge and adaptation (for better observations).

My position:

1-     There is room to articulate and elaborate “a body of knowledge” for strategic management, strategic planning, strategic international relations, strategic sustainable development (all with suffix), though strategy by itself is an art which is crafted by decisive, open-minded, self-confident, attentive, theoretical and pragmatic persons (strategists)  

2-     If one wish to outline a “body of knowledge” for strategy (without any suffix), s/he must initially formulate strategy as abstract concept of evident truths through which reveals connections between the meanings of ideas. (Enormous case specific data in place and it makes it a hard task)