School of Science & Technology
3rd CRECOS SEMINARY Espoo – 11-12.11.2010
Is Systems Engineering
compliant with “Systemism”? Jean-Pierre MICAËLLI Université de Lyon, INSA Lyon ITUS Research Team, UMR CNRS 5600 EVS Centre des Humanités - 1, rue des Humanités INSA Lyon – F-69621 Villeurbanne Cedex jean-pierre.micaelli@insa-lyon.fr
Introduction Epistemology
Main Idea Systems engineering (SE) is not enough systemic
S-G vs. RP-G “Systemism” Case of SE
Plan Epistemology
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
Substantive vs. Relational-Processist Gnoseology Systemism as a hybrid Gnoseology SE epistemological weaknesses
2/9
Introduction
Epistemology
Definition Theory of knowledge
S-G vs. RP-G “Systemism” Case of SE
Main questions 1. Who is the knowing subject?
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
2. What does he know? 3. How does he know?
Gnoseology Definition of the knowable world based on a Weltanschauung (Cf. 2) 3/9
Introduction Epistemology
S-G vs. RP-G “Systemism”
Substantive Gnoseology
Relational-Processist Gnoseology
The Universe is a structured set of beings possessing fixed attributes & encapsulated laws explaining their dynamics.
The Universe is a grid of intricate processes. Beings and their attributes are temporary state of these processes.
An Aristotelian ontology of the Universe is desirable & possible.
Knowing is an endless open-end process. An ontology is a contingent tool
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
Case of SE
4/9
Mario Bunge Introduction Epistemology S-G vs. RP-G
“Systemism”
Epistemologist (b.1916)
Definition
Case of SE
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
Universe
System
Mechanism
has>
Environment
Structure
interacts>
Exostructure
5/9
Endostructure
2..*
encapsulates>
Component
S-Gnoseology
RP-Gnoseology
Introduction Epistemology
“Systemism”
S-G vs. RP-G
“Systemism”
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
Case of SE
System as an abstract but... …empirical-based
(Cf. 2)
…contingent
(Cf. 1,2,3)
…complex
(Cf. 1,2)
entity Relational & processists commitments 6/9
Systems engineering Introduction Epistemology S-G vs. RP-G “Systemism”
Case of SE
“[...] interdisciplinary collaborative approach to derive, evolve, and verify a life-cycle balanced system solution which satisfies customer expectations and meets public acceptability” (IEEE 1220)
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
System “[...] combination of interacting elements organized to achieve one or more stated purposes (…) The term Systems defines a “concept” characterized by a set of properties such as the function provided, external interfaces, architecture(s) [...]” (AFNOR 15288)
7/9
Contingency Introduction Epistemology S-G vs. RP-G “Systemism”
Case of SE
Who are the subjects identifying the system of interest? How do they identify it? What are the enabling processes & tools?
Monist & pluralism
J-P.Micaëlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
How to build an epistemic community having pluralist views on the system (monism)?
Conceptualize SE as an activity
Openness What are the interactions between SE framework and other frameworks complex design requires? 8/9
Conceptualize SE as a part of the design tools
J-P.MicaĂŤlli, Is SE compliant with systemism?
School of Science & Technology
Kiitos !
9/9