I still believe that a discussion of the present type should begin with
clarification of terminology and articulation of the phenomena we talk
about. Otherwise we will get bits and pieces, no matter how interesting
they might be.
From previous messages I sensed that the term "engineer" is used in very
different ways in different (national) cultures and the attitude toward it
is also different in different (professional) cultures. We need to see the
semantical issues here. An architect is an architect by common parlance and
education no matter whether this person works for thirty years only as
construction manager, code official, chief architect of a city (city
planner) or designer. Engineering graduates may work for life as designers
or corporate executives. One education, different occupations and
positions. Engineers supervise production, manage people, design new
artifacts, function as corporate leaders, etc.
We should first discuss the phenomena of engineering and design,
engineering and design education (if there is a difference), engineering
and design positions, and so on. We need to see how they relate
horizontally and vertically. In addition, we need to see different levels
of proficiency and sophistication (vocational versus inventional, if I can
use this word) on only then compare and contrast.
This is an interesting topic and it deserves attention. As I mentioned
before, it is one of the stepping stones towards the coveted common ground.
With an interest in your points of view,
Lubomir
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