Abstract
We discuss approaches to the overall design of large scale engineering systems, such as planes, cars and large software systems. Such approaches are usually called design methodologies. We discuss the top-down structured methodology, the layered or platform-based methodology, and the network-based methodology. Such design methodologies are associated with organizational structures or architectures, such as tree-structured hierarchies, layered hierarchies and generic networks. We discuss the relationship of these approaches to Aristotle’s approach to the organization of Greek city-states and his logic-based problem solving, to Plato’s organization of the Just Society, and to Darwin’s use of evolution as an approach to design. We point out how these design methodologies relate to cultural attitudes toward engineering. We also point out that different engineering fields make different fundamental assumptions about properties of engineering systems, such as flexibility. We believe that undergraduate engineering education would be greatly improved if we taught design methodologies and their relation to philosophy. Similarly, engineering education would be improved if we taught foundational concepts regarding properties of engineering systems and the differing built-in assumptions regarding such properties found in various engineering disciplines.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Kuhn T., personal communication.
References
Newell A., J.C. Shaw, and H. Simon. 1957. Empirical Explorations with the Logic Theory Machine. In Proceedings of the Western Joint Computer Conference, 218–239.
Dore R. 1986. Flexible Rigidities: Industrial Policy and Structural Adjustment in the Japanese Economy. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press.
Ouchi, W.G. 1981. Theory Z. Reading, Mass: Addison-Wesley.
Watts D.J. 2003. Six Degrees: The Science of the Connected Age. New York: Norton.
Hofstede G., and G.J. Hofstede 2005. Cultures and organizations: Software of the mind, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill.
Womack J.P., D.T. Jones, and D. Roos. 1990. The Machine that Changed the World. Cambridge, Mass: MIT Press.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Moses, J. (2009). Architecting Engineering Systems. In: Poel, I., Goldberg, D. (eds) Philosophy and Engineering:. Philosophy of Engineering and Technology, vol 2. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2804-4_23
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-90-481-2804-4_23
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-90-481-2803-7
Online ISBN: 978-90-481-2804-4
eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and LawPhilosophy and Religion (R0)