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Knowledge Generation Epistemology & the

Foundations of EngineeringStephen Frezza, Ph. D., C.S.D.P.

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Philosophy of EngineeringAnswer question of meaning:To practice engineeringTo be an engineer

To Inform What we do and howWhat and how we teach

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What is Engineering?

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En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]Noun1. the art or science of making practical

application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.

2. the action, work, or profession of an engineer.3. skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.

En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]NounThe creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination...

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En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]Noun1. the art or science of making practical

application of the knowledge of pure sciences, as physics or chemistry, as in the construction of engines, bridges, buildings, mines, ships, and chemical plants.

2. the action, work, or profession of an engineer.3. skillful or artful contrivance; maneuvering.

En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]NounThe creative application of scientific principles to design or develop structures, machines, apparatus, or manufacturing processes, or works utilizing them singly or in combination...

En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]NounThe practical application of science and math to solve problems...

En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]Noun1. the application of science, mathematics, and

economics to meet the needs of humankind. 2. the art of directing the great sources of power

in nature for the use and convenience of man” appropriate solution to a problem or objective...

En·gi·neer·ing [en-juh-neer-ing]NounThe application of scientific, economic, social and practical knowledge in order to design, build and maintain structures, machines, devices, systems, materials and processes...

practical knowledge

Voices of a discipline

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What is Engineering?

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Do we really know what it means:To practice engineeringTo be an engineer

Yes

Why do we believe this?Justified beliefAgreement – social

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Knowledge and epistemology

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Knowledge as Justified BeliefJustified, True BeliefWhat an individual knows

ProcessFinding the form, pattern, meaningUnderstanding vs. misunderstandingNecessarily social

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Justified True BeliefConditions for assessing evidence

Assessed for reasonablenessTimeliness, precision, comprehensiveness, universality, and/or

completenessEvidence is adequate when

The conditions necessary for true belief are metConditions assessed for reasonableness

Knowing reaches a “virtually unconditioned” stateNew evidence needed to challenge belief

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Reasonableness: Norm of belief

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Pragmatic View of Knowledge

Knowing relies on …The individual mental state?The community criteria for reasonableness?

Pragmatic knowing relies on …Successful action: The control it gives us over the quality of

our future experience“Is it really so” relaxed to “Does it really apply?”

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Assessed by acceptable use

The Rabbit

Hole

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Examining Engineering Foundations:

EngineeringHeuristic methods

Dynamic processjudged by its usefulness depends on the social and

historical situations of the problem and the problem solvers

ScienceClassical & statistical

methodsDynamic process

ever more refined approximations of objective truth

constantly criticizing the approximation as it is currently known

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Knowledge Generation Goals

EngineeringPragmaticSuccess derived from

patternValued for usefulness of

artifact produced Socially located, timely,

understood, sufficiently precise

ScienceIdealisticSuccess derived from

theoryValued for explanation,

correctnessUniversal, reliable,

comprehensive, sufficiently precise

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Pedagogical Implications

Engineering LearningSuccess derived from

patternValued for usefulness of

artifact produced Socially located, timely,

understood, sufficiently precise

Science LearningSuccess derived from

theoryValued for explanation,

correctnessUniversal, reliable,

comprehensive, sufficiently precise

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ScienceEngineering

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Valuing the Engineering Solution

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TimelinessCompletenessSufficiently preciseDeliveredMatches situational and social

contextBest as the enemy of the good

Science

Engineering

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Implications for engineering educationFill-in-the-blank Science:

What is learned? Why?Mostly science

Engineering courseCommunicating engineering values

Program development & accreditationEngineering componentScience & Math component

Self-selection and retentionExploring engineering

values, not just technology

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Science

Engineering

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Affective Learning

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What the student valuesMore than cognitive Values translate to actionsCan be defined and assessed

Sufficiency“As good as… Better than… Good

enough…”Judged by social situation

UsefulnessJudged by the problem as known

Science

Engineering