On the fundamentals of engineering design science: The geography of engineering design science. Part 2

Abstract

From the abstract of the whole treatise preceeding Part 1 of this paper (J. Eng. Des., 2000, vol. 11, no. 4, 377‐397) we recall that a stratification for the context of engineering design science was constructed, consisting of 5 levels, viz. general epistemology, engineering design epistemology, engineering design science, engineering design methodics and engineering design practice. The levels of general epistemology and of engineering design epistemology were briefly discussed, and a start was made in discussing the level of engineering design science proper, which would subsequently address I: The action subject of engineering design , II: The action object of engineering design, III: The action process of engineering design, and IV: Engineering design ontology. Part 1 ended with the discussion of 'The action subject of engineering design', so consequently Part 2 starts with discussing 'The action object of engineering design'. The next item, 'The engineering design process' is discussed from two aspects, viz. 'Engineering design phenomenology' and 'Engineering design methodology'. This item, 'The engineering design process' clearly forms the kernel of the paper. After two short paragraphs on 'Engineering design ontology' (belonging to engineering design science) and 'Engineering design methodics' (the tool kit of the engineering designer, but as such not belonging to engineering design science), the paper ends with a logical analysis of the relation between engineering design science and natural science, for which the metaphor of a Siamese Twin clearly presents itself.