Sustainability and engineering philosophy : the paradigm

As part of a process towards developing a yard stick for sustainability management of engineering technologies (SMET). The division between sustainability and philosophy of engineering, in theory and in practice, is absolutely artificial. In essence there are complementary characteristics with a common objective that it is to contribute to the development andthe progress of the human being. However in regards to engineering philosophy, where philosophy is in its true and disciplined sense, is as important to the engineering profession as an engineering mission statement is to an engineering firm. Like a company’s mission statement, philosophy of engineering provides a direction for development and a professional identity. This paper examines the definitions, relationships and essential connections between sustainability and engineering philosophy.