Discussion of the Method : Conducting the Engineer's Approach to Problem Solving

by Billy Vaughn Koen

"While the study of the engineering method is important to create the world we would have, its study is equally important to understand the world we do have."
--Billy V. Koen, Introduction, Discussion of t h e Method

Discussion of t h e Method outlines the heuristic-based reasoning used by engineers and generalizes it to a universal method for problem-solving. Delving into the connection between engineering and philosophy, this ground-breaking text illustrates how the theoretical and the practical can merge to form real-world solutions. Furthermore, the methodology covered in this innovative book is extremely user-friendly, and easily synthesized with individual approaches to problem-solving. Discussion of t h e Method is an ideal supplement for introductory and advanced courses in engineering, philosophy, and other disciplines, as well as a compelling read for general audiences.

T H E AN OVERVIEW


· Part I describes the problem situation that calls for the talents of the engineer and emphasizes how frequently this situation is encountered.


· Part II defines the heuristic and the engineering method.


· Part III lists examples of heuristics and techniques used to implement the engineering method, describes several alternative definitions of the engineering method, and renders the method in its final form.


· Part IV generalizes the engineering method to a universal method.


· Part V gives a concise, justifiable statement of universal method.


· Part VI delivers a specific example of the universal method in use.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science, Philosophy

276 pages, Paperback

First published March 20, 2003

Reviews

[Bob · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tour de force of what "Engineering" means in theory and in practice.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential and important book for people interested in technology assessment, engineering, scientific method, critical thinking, applied epistemology, general semantics, etc. I have a well-thumbed, well-marked copy.

[Gary Robert Gress · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think some parts of this book are simply outstanding and leading-edge, like the equivalence of engineering design and nature (genetic variation/natural selection/evolution).

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work in any kind of engineering or technical field, you should seriously consider reading this book. The author makes some exceptionally strong arguments in favour of the idea that "all is heuristic", not just in engineering (although that's where he starts), but in all of human activity.

[Joe Short · Rating 4 out of 5]

Groundbreaking book in the field of engineering. Only thing keeping it from 5 stars is the verbosity of the proofs; while necessary, there had to be a more direct way to get to the central thesis.

[Ray]

I took Professor Koen's Introduction to Mechanical Engineering course in 1982 at UT Austin.

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

- deep, dense and philosophical, but he does know what design is about - his koan is "all is heuristic". Worth reading.

[Noel Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

gd genius work here. ❤️