Using science in technology: towards a philosophy of the engineering sciences

This research proposal aims at a philosophy of engineering sciences that gives a more adequate understanding of the role of science in technology. It will contribute to philosophy of technology as well as to an improvement of research practices in the engineering sciences. This proposal focuses on complex processes, the design of which requires scientifically informed approaches. Therefore biochemical and biomedical technologies are taken as examples. In the development of such scientific knowledge, three problems may occur: a) Scientific knowledge obtained at laboratory conditions is ‘too fundamental, and hard to translated to real-world systems. b) Results of scientific research are ‘too instrumental’, and do not provide engineers with a better understanding of relevant physical processes. c) Integration of knowledge from different scientific disciplines, necessary for describing complex technological systems, is often failing. Two main conjectures about causes of these problems are at the centre of this study: 1) Within scientific research practices pragmatic values, that aim at useful knowledge with respect to engineering problems, are in conflict with the dominant epistemological value in science: truth. 2) A standard view of science guides methodological approaches within scientific research practices, and hinders the development of more adequate methodologies. The main question in this research project is how to characterize knowledge that is simultaneously scientific and useful to the engineering practice. The chosen approach is divided in three steps: i) empirical research to articulate existing views on science and engineering; ii) conceptual and philosophical analysis of basic ideas behind these views, iii) development of alternative views on the relation between science and technology. This project aims at different audiences: scientific researchers in the engineering sciences, their peers, and philosophers of science and technology. keywords: philosophy of technology, philosophy of science, philosophy of engineering sciences, technical sciences, engineering sciences, technical knowledge, engineering, technological design.