An entrepreneur and a philosopher walk into an AI summit...

In an unexpected yet perfect moment of collaboration, Shahram Hejazi, a Keller Entrepreneurial faculty member, and seasoned venture capital investor, met Andrew Chignell, a Philosophy Professor in the University Center for Human Values and renowned Immanuel Kant scholar, at the NJ AI Summit last spring. What began as a casual chat about philosophy, entrepreneurship, and venture capital quickly evolved into exploring their intersections, revealing an unexpected synergy in their work.

Their conversation extended well beyond the summit, ultimately leading to the creation of a Wintersession workshop titled “How to Make Big Choices: Philosophy, Careers, and Meaning.” Designed to unravel the complexities of life’s most pivotal decisions, the workshop offered participants a deep dive into the nuances of decision-making—what makes choices difficult or easy, why they can be so stressful, and how philosophical perspectives can illuminate the process.

Throughout the two-day workshop, researchers, students, faculty, and staff engaged with thought-provoking speakers, shared personal experiences, and explored the surprising connections between classical philosophy and modern career paths. “We had a fantastic time thinking with the students about the surprising ways in which old philosophical ideas relate to their very contemporary career choices,” Chignell noted. “I’m grateful to Shahram and the Keller Center for their help sponsoring this event.”

By blending philosophical insight with real-world applications, the workshop fostered intellectual curiosity, gave the participants insights into the art and science of making big decisions, and provided a space for meaningful reflection on the choices that shape our lives.

This Wintersession workshop was sponsored in partnership with LinkedIn founder Reid Hoffman's Blitzscaling project, PRÉCIS, and Keller Center.