Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
ACCEPTING AMBIGUITY OF ENGINEERING FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTIONS
Vermaas, Pieter
Type:
Year:
2011
Editor:
Culley, S.J.; Hicks, B.J.; McAloone, T.C.; Howard, T.J. & Reich, Y.
Author:
Series:
ICED
Section:
Design Theory and Research Methodology
Page(s):
98-107
Abstract:
In this paper I consider four approaches to the ambiguity of engineering functional descriptions, and explore arguments for accepting this ambiguity. The first and second approach aim at resolving the ambiguity by finding or imposing a single precise meaning for function. These approaches lead to consensus on the content of functional descriptions and to their unconditional interoperability. Yet, these approaches counter the current engineering practice to use different meanings of function side-by-side. The third and fourth approach stay close to this engineering practice and accept the co-existing meanings of functions; in the third a single overarching meaning is still posited, and in the fourth function is taken as a Wittgensteinian family resemblance concept. It is described how having the co-existing meanings allows engineers to use different design methods. It is argued that the meaning of function then depends on the task for with functional descriptions are used. And it is proposed that functional descriptions have the methodological role in common to relate goal descriptions of devices with structural descriptions in a general and interdisciplinary way.
Keywords:
