catapult magazine

Why is engineering under the science section?

If engineering was a science, our cars would look the same, an Intel processor would be just like a PowerPC, and everyone would naturally know if a door needed to be pushed or pulled. If engineering was a science, an engineer would take a mathematical model, collect experimental data, divide this by that and multiply by some other stuff, and out pops a car, computer, or door. Science involves abstraction. Engineering involves synthesis. The problem with confusing these two is that engineering becomes a science where something can be designed in a vacuum with no consideration for its broader impact. When engineering becomes a science people forget the process of design. Obviously, there is not an equation for a car; many design decisions are based on assumptions, feelings, or the contents of one’s rear. Sure science can be used as a tool, it’s great at providing clarity (5 > 4 is always true when using integers), but where do discernment, insight, and wisdom come from and how are they incorporated into the design process? Engineering is an activity that people participate in to solve practical problems in people’s lives. An image bearer is on both sides of the engineering process. Engineers and people affected by engineering need to understand the important distinction between science and engineering. People need to understand that wisdom and discernment are needed fill the gaps between a scientific explanation and a real life situation to make a design decision.

Norbert,

yon NEED to stop assuming. NEED to. I mean you have a bloody bone to pick with everything that isay if i dont SEE it your way. there is no free speech allowed on this fascist discussion page. You “regulars” seem to rule with iron fists with anyone who seems to think the slightest bit different than yourself. so dont talk to me about free speech.

As for this post — and i dont feel the NEED to qualify — but i will — i was aying those who are gifted in this area can stand to make a lot of $$$. Not good or bad just Friggin fact. i have my best friend who was into engineering.

You NEED to lighten up Norbert. You are not the norbert i remember. Sarcasm? I have read the post over and over and i can still find nothing offensive or sacastic about it. anyway. continue to bawl like a baby if you must.

Eddie, when you say something you have to take responsibility for it. Perhaps you could say the same things in a different way to begin with…a way that invites discussion. For example: “Do any of you have the sense that engineers are all just a bunch of smart greedy people? Cause it seems that way to me.” That would still be offensive, but at least it would show that you are interested in other peope’s perspectives.

Engineering — it is a basic method for those who are intellectually gifted to make themselves a lot of Money.

i think eddie is right. at least that’s how many students who are entering into the engineering field approach the issue. i’m in cowtown (calgary) where the number one business is oil. being located at the biggest university in that town (25,000 students, 6,000 faculty/staff – i think), i have rubbed shoulders with a lot of folks to whom eddie’s quote is bang on. many of the geo-physicists, the civil engineering students, and even the pre-law folks are entering into their professions simply because these are the big money makers in calgary and they have the intellect to work in one of these money-making fields.

in fact i would be so bold as to say that the engineering faculty at my university uses eddie’s quote as a motto to draw students. they hang it over their office doors and engrave it on the buildings.

from my perspective, they are missing the point of such work. and certainly not all engineers enter into the field for money. but many, many, many do. i would say a strong majority.

so don’t shoot it down so quickly. it’s true. in the face of christianity, perhaps defiantly true. so i for one will be slow to mock it the statement. slow to mock eddie (who has taken a heck of a lot of flack from this website, in my opinion).

but i would be quick to weep and mourn. for these words are true.

thanks ilovealbertabeef. i appreciate that. it IS true. this is the statement i was TRYING to make whilst doing so i made some holier-than-thou’s ticked off.

dan. dont take the high road. it is not very becoming.

invoking discussion. look how much discussion was invoked. i am trying to particpate like the rest of you “higher educated ones”.

last i looked, that quote was not even near offensive.

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