The coexistence of engineering meanings of function: Four responses and their methodological implications

The coexistence of engineering meanings of function: Four responses and their methodological implications

Vermaas, P.E.

Technology, Policy and Management

Values and Technology

2013-07-24

In this position paper, the ambiguity of functional descriptions in engineering is considered from a methodological point of view. Four responses to this ambiguity are discussed, ranging from defining a single meaning of function and rejecting the different meanings that are currently used in engineering to accepting these meanings as coexisting in engineering and taking function as a family resemblance concept. Rejecting the different meanings is described as the straightforward response to resolving the ambiguity of functional descriptions, yet in engineering research and design methodology it rather seems to be accepted that engineers do use the coexisting meanings side by side. In this paper, explanations are given of why this practice is beneficial to engineering. Then it is explored how the particular meaning that engineers attach to function depends on the tasks for which functional descriptions are used. Finally, the methodological implications of the four responses to the ambiguity of functional descriptions are discussed.

ambiguity of functional descriptions
conceptual analysis
engineering design methods
functions

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:29be1c2d-89c3-4521-a526-e6e1f74c1d98

https://doi.org/10.1017/S0890060413000206

Cambridge University Press

2014-01-24

0890-0604

Artificial Intelligence for Engineering Design, Analysis and Manufacturing, 27 (3), 2013

Institutional Repository

journal article

(c) 2013 Cambridge University Press