Kazuo Inamori's personal philosophy, known as the Kyocera philosophy, embodies the idea of "pursuing what is right for humankind." It was on the basis of this and two other principles—"people have no higher calling than to serve the greater good of humankind and society" and "the future of humanity can be assured only through the balance of scientific progress and spiritual maturity"—that he established the Inamori Foundation in 1984.
He subsequently established the Kyoto Prize, an international award that honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the progress of science, technology, the advancement of civilization, and enrichment and elevation of the human spirit.