There is a commonly expressed
fear among scientists and other rational agents that design is too nihilistic
and relativistic. Design is dismissed as merely expressions of intuition,
fashion or ‘whatever’ and not objective, rational inquiry. This has raised many
barriers between scientific thinkers and design practitioners. It has confused
design educators and students alike. However, systemics provides dimensions of
critical reasoning to designing that many assume or fear are missing.
In systemic
designing, systems and design are not only interrelated, they are inseparable.
Systemic design is a compound whole and not merely two interrelated strategies
of inquiry. It is an integration of knowledge and skill that enables prudent
action—wise action—to transpire. It is a manifestation of the integration of theory
and action—wisdom. This is the original definition of sophia—in philosophy (philo
(love) + sophia (wisdom))—as the wise hand. It is a holistic synthesis of
cultures of inquiry that is designed to see or create ultimate particulars
while acknowledging generalities and universalities. Systemic designers pay
attention to environments, contexts and the provenance of any design activity
while paying full attention to the particulars and people of the moment. Systemic
designing is a compound, not an aggregated assembly of approaches. Systemic
designing strives to be rational, beautiful, just and good while remaining
practical.
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