iFoundry at ASCE National convention for philosophy & civil engineering panel
Friday, October 30, 2009
iFoundry co-director, David E. Goldberg, is attending the American Society for Civil Engineering (ASCE) National Convention in Kansas City today to participate on a panel on Philosophy & Civil Engineering.
If civil engineers are to become “the master integrators of the future,” some self-reflection is in order to investigate the intellectual foundations on which the profession is built. Besides helping engineers to do their jobs better, such an exercise may lead to the discovery that engineers have more to contribute to society than previously realized. This session will explore the idea that civil engineering is more of an art than a science by suggesting how the various branches of philosophy-metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, politics, and aesthetics-apply to it, and highlighting how philosophical considerations are relevant to current issues in the profession.
Each panelist will give a brief presentation to introduce the subject matter. Jon Schmidt will provide a general overview, including definitions of philosophy and engineering and suggestions for how the two fields are, and should be, related to each other. Erik Nelson will address the nature of engineering knowledge, including the distinction that is commonly made between theory and practice, and some implications for education. David Goldberg will contrast today’s typical engineering curriculum with the largely qualitative skills that separate great engineers from the merely technically competent, and note how philosophy can help restore needed balance. A question-and-answer format will follow, including ample time for audience members to participate.
MODERATOR: Jon A. Schmidt, P.E., SECB, M.ASCE, Associate Structural Engineer, Burns & McDonnell
PRESENTERS: David E. Goldberg, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, Jerry S. Dobrovolny Distinguished Professor, University of Illinois; Erik A. Nelson, P.E., M.ASCE, Partner, Structures Workshop
Professor Goldberg’s opening remarks The Missing Basics: Philosophical Reflections on a Complete Engineering Education picks up on a theme that has graced these pages more than once (here, for example). More information on the ASCE convention program is available here. More information is available on philosophy and engineering at www.philengtech.org.
[...] Erik Nelson and fPET co-chair David E. Goldberg. More information about the panel is available here and [...]
Pingback by Philosophy, Engineering & Technology » ASCE Convention hosts panel on Philosophy & Civil Engineering — October 31, 2009 @ 3:50 am