We all know that philosophy is a study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, esp.

when considered as an academic discipline. So as engineering student i really appreciate it. Engineering has evolved into a logic where without further and certainly no deeper thought chemistry is used to transform materials, genetics determine new forms of food, mechanical pumps are planned in production, and airconditioning systems have become indispensable to operate a house or an office. The introduction of automated computer designs for everything from a simple home to the planning of complex petrochemical refineries uses existing and known solutions off-the-shelf often without any deeper thought. As a result we engrain a portfolio of standard solutions into the design of just about everything. Legal obligations and risk reduction requirements -with the best of original intentions- combined with our computer tools block the introduction of innovations which are only admitted after major expense and dramatic improvement has been demonstrated, often at high cost. The result is that engineering has lost its deeper meaning and innovations are limited to changes on the fringes. Industry finds itself in a straightjacket incapable of pursuing fundamental shifts. In our nature engineers has a big participation in building and creating things that we used in our daily lives. We have to be knowledgeable in doing these things. And of course we have to be more creative and we have to be reasonable. So we have to study philosophy of engineering and its logic. And for me, philosophy of engineering is necessary. Because it build us and connecting us into the values of giving importance in our nature and by this we have to be innovative in pursuing all our goals as engineers. The first line in this philosophy should be that all is connected based on the extraordinary insights of Arne Naess, the Norwegian founder and inspiration of deep ecology. We have to be connected.

If we pursue a singular goal, a simple objective like energy savings or speeding up processes, then we are bound to cause unintended consequences, like the excessive use of harsh chemicals. Deep ecology unravels the links amongst everything we know and see. While this increases the level of complexity in a world fascinated with simplicity, it allows the design to resolve issues that could never be tackled in an isolated fashion. Philosophy has not paid sufficient attention to engineering. Nevertheless, engineering should not use this as an excuse to ignore philosophy. The argument here is that philosophy is important to engineering for at least three reasons. First, philosophy is necessary so that engineers may understand and defend themselves against philosophical criticisms. In fact, there is a tradition of engineering philosophy that is largely overlooked, even by engineers. Second, philosophy, especially ethics, is necessary to help engineers deal with professional ethical problems. A case study of ethics requirements for U.S. engineering curricula substantiates this point. Third, because of the inherently philosophical character of engineering, philosophy may actually function as a means to greater engineering self-understanding. The thesis of the present paper is that, common presumptions to the contrary, philosophy is centrally important to engineering. When engineers and engineering students - not to mention those who make use of engineering services - dismiss philosophical analysis and reflection as marginal to the practice of engineering, they are mistaken on at least two counts: historical and professional Not only do you utilize scientific knowledge to build something, but you also utilize philosophical wisdom in figuring out what to build, so that it will be valuable and new.

REFLECTION PAPER
Philosophy and Engineering: Connecting Values and Innovation

In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirement In Humanities 231

Submitted by: Kristine Jean C. Deplomo BSECE-1A

Submitted to: Prof. Vicente G. Arevalo Date: July 5, 2013