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Harold said: "Design is a stance I believe, an approach to the human condition just as science, religion or politics are, and not a discipline." Derek replied: I like that notion of design as a stance. I'm going to think about. it I'm delighted that the concept of "design stance" has been introduced to the list: We owe the terms to Daniel Dennett, the American Philosopher. He defined “Design stance” as behavior in which one predicts that an entity is designed as they suppose it to be and will operate according to that design. (1) I have adapted his broader philosophical system based on interpreting things from an "intentional stance" as the motivating orientation focusing all modes of purposeful thought, and design thinking in particular. I believe that the design stance is primarily a way of focusing intentional thought and action to produce meaningful and appropriate expressions, artifacts or behaviors relevant to intentional goals regarding a situation or context of concern. Formulating an appropriate proposal, message, or artifact regarding a focal situation requires a "design stance" regarding the situation. However, the products of other intentional modes must be interpreted, synthesized and expressed and synthesized subject to a Formative intent within a broader framework of intentional considerations. Both Dennett's system of distinctions and those particular to design thinking are discussed in the papers; "Intentionality in Design" and "A Theory of Design Thinking" that can be found at http://independent,academia.edu/charlesburnette. I'd really appreciate your thoughts about how a "design stance" becomes motivated and pursued. It has become a fundamental building block for my theory of design thinking. It is too important an idea to be left without adequate formulation. Thanks, Chuck 1) Dennett, D. 1996. Kinds of Minds, NY: Basic Books