工学はどういうタイプの学問か

Abstract

The standard view is that natural sciences establish natural laws; engineering or technology depends on this scientific knowledge. This view is not good. In Chapter 1, I introduce Lakatos' view of scientific philosophy. Using some of his terms, ceteris paribus, hard core, protective belt etc., I distinguish engineering knowledge from scientific knowledge. In Chapter 2, I insist that it is not simple to apply scientific laws to engineering problems. The explanatory power and the universality of natural laws serve little in their application. And the condition of ceteris paribus and the idealization of scientific theories are the grounds for the difficulties in application. In Chapter 3, I elucidate engineering knowledge concerning inverse problem, design and safety. This exposition enables us to understand some intellectual features of engineering. Contrary to scientific explanation and deductive method, engineering perspective is powerful in complex world or our everyday life.