TY - JOUR
T1 - Self-knowledge by proxy
T2 - Parsons on philosophy of design and the Modernist vision
AU - Galle, Per
N1 - The present paper was originally commissioned as a traditional book review by the editor-in-chief of She Ji, but grew into something more research-oriented. As a result, the editor suggested it be considered a hybrid “full-length research article in the form of a book review”.
PY - 2017/9/6
Y1 - 2017/9/6
N2 - In 2016, Glenn Parsons published his book The Philosophy of Design, in which he presents a substantial amount of philosophical insight about design in general, and about the Modernist approach to design in particular. The book may be used as a textbook, but can also be read as a research monograph. In this paper I offer a detailed review of the book, seen as a contribution to design research. As such, I find it highly original and commendable, although not entirely immune to disagreement. I highlight what I see as the main line of reasoning, as a guide to other readers, and develop a number of considerations of my own. These byproducts of the reviewing process include a reflection on the viability of Modernist design thinking; some background on the nature and origins of the philosophy of design as a discipline; a defense of the notion of a stable essence of the concept of design; and a critical analysis of Parsons’ definition of design.
AB - In 2016, Glenn Parsons published his book The Philosophy of Design, in which he presents a substantial amount of philosophical insight about design in general, and about the Modernist approach to design in particular. The book may be used as a textbook, but can also be read as a research monograph. In this paper I offer a detailed review of the book, seen as a contribution to design research. As such, I find it highly original and commendable, although not entirely immune to disagreement. I highlight what I see as the main line of reasoning, as a guide to other readers, and develop a number of considerations of my own. These byproducts of the reviewing process include a reflection on the viability of Modernist design thinking; some background on the nature and origins of the philosophy of design as a discipline; a defense of the notion of a stable essence of the concept of design; and a critical analysis of Parsons’ definition of design.
KW - Definition of design
KW - Epistemology of design
KW - Modernism
KW - Philosophy of design
U2 - 10.1016/j.sheji.2017.05.001
DO - 10.1016/j.sheji.2017.05.001
M3 - Journal article
SN - 2405-8726
VL - 2
SP - 322
EP - 342
JO - She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation
JF - She Ji: The Journal of Design, Economics, and Innovation
M1 - SHEJI59
ER -