The Complexification of Engineering

The Complexification of Engineering Carlos E. Maldonado and Nelson A. Gómez Cruz This paper deals with the arrow of complexification of engineering. We claim that the complexification of engineering consists in (a) that shift throughout which engineering becomes a science; thus it ceases to be a (mere) praxis or profession; (b) becoming a science, engineering can be considered as one of the sciences of complexity. In reality, the complexification of engineering is the process by which engineering can be studied, achieved and understood in terms of knowledge, and not of goods and services any longer. Complex engineered systems and bio-inspired engineering are so far the two expressions of a complex engineering. Key Words: Complexity; Engineering Sciences; Complex Engineered Systems; Bio-inspired Engineering. 1. INTRODUCTION We are currently facing a dynamic process of complexification of engineering sciences. To be sure, such is a proof of vitality and change that, nonetheless, is to be fully understood and explained. That is the aim of this paper. There was a time when engineering was considered just as a practice on based-knowledge [1]; in other words, as the way through which science acts upon the world. As such, engineering could be considered as part of the little science [2] (The expressions “little science” and “big science” will be used repeatedly here. They are to be taken not literally in the sense of De Solla ...