Activist engineering: changing engineering practice by deploying praxis.

Area of Science:

• Engineering Practice
• Environmental Ethics
• Science and Technology Studies

Background:

• Contemporary engineering practice often overlooks the social and political roots of climate change.
• Dominant notions of apoliticism and ahistoricity in engineering hinder effective climate solutions.
• A purely technological approach fails to address the underlying issue of infinite material growth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically examine engineering practice in the context of climate change.
• To propose an "activist engineer" model that questions the necessity of engineering interventions.
• To explore the concept of "praxis" for developing socially just and ecologically sensitive engineering solutions.

Main Methods:

• Drawing on science and technology studies, philosophy of technology, and environmental ethics.
• Defining and contrasting "activist engineering" with contemporary practice.
• Investigating the deployment of "praxis" to foster critical awareness in engineers.

Main Results:

• Solely technological solutions to climate change do not challenge root causes like infinite growth.
• "Activist engineering" involves questioning the problem and the need for an engineering intervention.
• The concept of "praxis" can transform engineering into a tool for social justice and ecological sensitivity.

Conclusions:

• Radical cultural change is necessary to solve complex problems like climate change.
• Engineers need education to develop "authentic alternatives" beyond incremental technological improvements.
• Activist engineering promotes a paradigm shift, asking "What really needs to be done?" rather than "How can we engineer a solution?"