“From Confusion to Clarity” — .Philosophy: ‘Viewing Things in Simple Terms’

This time, Inamori* spoke about the above motto in Kyocera philosophy.

What Inamori said is quoted with “”.

 

“We tend to make things unnecessarily complicated.

Yet, in order to grasp the true essence of matters, it is often necessary to reinterpret complex phenomena in a simple way. The more simply we reduce an event, the closer we come to its original form—that is, to the truth.

For example, management and business administration, which may at first seem overwhelmingly complex, ultimately boils down to one basic principle: maximize revenue and minimize expenses.

Kyocera’s ‘profit-per-hour system’ is also based on this mindset of simplifying matters. What truly matters is the way of thinking—the creativity to reframe what appears complicated into something simple.”

According to Mr. Inamori, the following methods may be especially effective in cultivating the ability to view things simply:

 

 

 

Let me now explore each of these in greater depth.

 

1. Visualization (through diagrams or illustrations)

Words of Mr. Inamori

“I imagine the human mind as a sphere shaped like a football with multiple layers of structure, and at the very center of this sphere, I believe, lies the soul.

Some people may not believe in the existence of the soul, but I think of it as the innermost core upon which various structures are built. The outermost layer, covering everything, is instinct.”

(Quoted from the Inamori Digital Library)

 

→ My Comment

I believe it is important to form such images in our minds. Even when something is complex, once it is illustrated, or expressed through photos or videos, it often becomes much easier to understand.

How can we convey this to others?

How can we make it easier for them to grasp?

I think it is this very intention—creating images that help people understand—that truly matters.

 

2. Viewing from multiple perspectives

Words of Mr. Inamori

“Mathematician Heisuke Hironaka was able to solve difficult problems by transforming something in two dimensions into three dimensions. By adding just one more factor, he was in fact simplifying the phenomenon.”

 

→ My Comment

In other words, it is like shifting from looking at something only from above to also viewing it from the side.

Rather than observing an object solely from the front,

try moving around to see it from the back,

take a bird’s-eye view from above,

or look up at it from below.

By doing so, the true nature of the subject may gradually reveal itself.

I believe this attitude—changing perspectives and viewing from multiple angles—is essential.

 

3. Transforming the mind (especially the subconscious)

Words of Mr. Inamori

“Those with academic knowledge, in particular, often have a tendency to explain simple things in an unnecessarily complicated way.

If something is explained in a straightforward and simple manner, it may sound unimpressive. Perhaps this is why some people deliberately make it sound complex—to show off their education or intellect.

But truly intelligent people are those who can explain complex matters in simple terms.

Those who explain complicated things in a complicated way and then dismiss others by saying, ‘Well, you wouldn’t understand anyway,’ are, in truth, people who themselves do not fully understand.”

 

→ My Comment

This is, at its root, a matter of the subconscious mind.

When the subconscious is filled with beliefs such as:

I must always appear superior to others.

If others look down on me, I will suffer loss.

If I am seen as inferior, I will be unhappy or hurt.

—then a person will unconsciously act in ways that emphasize their knowledge, education, or status, just as Mr. Inamori described.

To avoid such behavior, one must reform the subconscious.

When, deep within the subconscious, one accepts that “I can be accepted just as I am” and “I am worthy of being loved by others,” then one can act with sincerity and humility.

Once we begin to act with sincerity, our words and attitudes naturally change. The impulse to make things appear more complicated than they are would disappear. We become able to view things simply, to reduce them to their essence.

Such a reform of the subconscious is, I believe, essential.

 

 

 

* Mr. Kazuo Inamori, the founder of Kyocera, KDDI (one of the top tele communication companies in Japan) and the top of revitalization project of JAL. As a well-known Japanese entrepreneur, he has been sharing his experiences and management know-how with managements of small to middle companies in Japan.

 

Further queries or doubts, please email to ytomizuka@abrilsjp.com

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