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The Importance of Philosophy to Engineering. Abstract Philosophy has not paid
sufficient attention to engineering. Nevertheless, engineering ...
... fate of humankind, the fateful aspect is of secondary importance: our world ...
contributions, but also for work in Engineering Philosophy, Engineering Ethics, ...
... it is merged with Earthquake engineering.The above is ... but it is similar in importance
to courses ... Structural Form, Function, and Design Philosophy is dedicated ...
... and the firm's goodwill, is of greatest importance. ... well as an explanation for the
chosen philosophy. ... That the engineering change and updates are meticulously ...
... methodology, made to reflect the importance of user ... In contrast to Information
Engineering and SSADM ... is an abstract, conceptual ISD philosophy that concentrates ...
Submitted by yoldar on May 9, 2006
Category: Philosophy
Words: 7869 | Pages: 32
Views: 348
Popularity Rank: 26,340
Average Member Grade: N/A (Add a Comment / Grade this Paper)
Abstract
Philosophy has not paid sufficient attention to engineering. Nevertheless, engineering should not use this as an excuse to ignore philosophy. The argument here is that philosophy is important to engineering for at least three reasons. First, philosophy is necessary so that engineers may understand and defend themselves against philosophical criticisms. In fact, there is a tradition of engineering philosophy that is largely overlooked, even by engineers. Second, philosophy, especially ethics, is necessary to help engineers deal with professional ethical problems. A case study of ethics requirements for U.S. engineering curricula substantiates this point. Third, because of the inherently philosophical character of engineering, philosophy may actually function as a means to greater engineering self-understanding.
The thesis of the present paper is that, common presumptions to the contrary, philosophy is centrally important to engineering. When engineers and engineering students - not to mention those who make use of engineering services - dismiss philosophical analysis and reflection as marginal to the practice of engineering, they are mistaken on at least two counts: historical and professional.
It is also the case, I would argue, that engineering is important to philosophy - and that philosophers have made woefully insufficient efforts to appreciate and assess the technical realities that they too often presume to criticize. Were philosophers to set their own discipline in order with respect to engineering, philosophy would no doubt be even more important to engineering than is presently the case.
Nevertheless, even granted the inadequate attention conferred on engineering by philosophy, philosophy is of critical and increasing significance to engineering. The argument in support of this thesis will, appropriately enough, rely in key respects on engineering experience. It will proceed by means of a historical review of...
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