Book Description

In an effort to more clearly define the engineering method, this document attempts to draw distinctions between engineering and science. Part I, "Some Thoughts on Engineering," discusses strategies that engineers employ to solve problems, and the characteristics of the types of engineering problems. Part II, "The Principal Rule of the Engineering Method," gives a definition of the engineering method and provides examples which: (1) compare individual engineers; (2) establish a rule for judging the performance of an engineer; (3) compare the technological developments of various nations; (4) analyze several pedagogical strategies of engineering education; and (5) define the relationship between the engineer and society. Part III, "Some Heuristics Used by the Engineering Method," includes some simple rules of thumb, factors about safety, heuristics that affect the engineer's attitude toward his/her work, heuristics that engineers use to keep risk within acceptable bounds, and factors dealing with resource allocation. (TW)