A philosophical framework for thought and practice in human resource development

Philosophy is often thought of as abstract and offering little practical utility. However, it is vitally important for an emerging profession such as HRD. The goal of this paper is to highlight the importance of the act of philosophy by offering a primer for those new to it. A framework that emphasizes a systems perspective of philosophy is proposed and each component is briefly described. Then, the practical contributions of philosophy are demonstrated by examining current issues facing HRD.