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Hi Klaus,
Thanks for your message. Not a rhetorical game. I'm cautious and exact about
using the term 'design theory' and wanted to know your way of using the term
so I could align my answer to your thinking.
I'll answer without locating in design theory. 
Best regards,
Terry

-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Klaus Krippendorff
Sent: Sunday, 7 December 2014 3:08 PM
To: [log in to unmask]; 'PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD
studies and related research in Design'
Subject: RE: design theory

terry,
i asked you to give me an example of a design theory which you talk of as
having to be predictive. 

instead of stating one (or at least a few propositions of one), or stating
what it is to predict, you refer to "predictive modelling methods" in the
abstract and talk of "responsibilities and creative design activity that
comes with using better predictive methods."

This is a far cry from giving me at least a hint of an answer to what i had
hoped you learn of how a design theory looks like. i just don't know what it
should predict: responsibility? creative actions? how to solve problems?
change the world?

then you ask me to "detailed for (you) what (i) regard as a design theory,
and what are the characteristics of the boundaries of the concept of 'design
theory' (in general)  that  differentiate design theories from other forms
of theories"

i happen not to talk of design theory, i do not have any. i have insights in
what it means to design, what is important and what is less so, but i would
not frame these experiences in terms of design theory and would not have
asked you if i knew how you conceptualize design theory.

in effect, you now asked me to answer the question i posed to you. i was not
playing rhetorical games.

klaus




----Original Message-----
From: Terence Love [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Sunday, December 07, 2014 12:57 AM
To: Klaus Krippendorff; 'PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD
studies and related research in Design'
Subject: RE: design theory

Hi Klaus,

You asked me to  ' give us an example of a predictive "design theory"'

I've described my response to this in detail at other times.  In essence, I
refer to predictive modelling methods for complex socio-technical design
situations and their use in design process, and the changes in roles,
responsibilities and creative design activity that comes with using better
predictive methods.

You seem to be somehow collating this into a 'predictive design theory', but
that's not how I see it.

Rather, implicit in it is the idea that the current way of thinking about
design theories is limiting, and part of the problem.

For the remainder of today, I need to travel and work. I'll reply more fully
tomorrow.

In the meantime, it would help if you detailed for me what you regard as a
design theory, and what are the characteristics of the boundaries of the
concept of 'design theory' (in general)  that  differentiate design theories
from other forms of theories.

Best wishes,
Terry

---
Dr Terence Love
PhD(UWA), BA(Hons) Engin. PGCEd, FDRS, AMIMechE, MISI Director, Love
Services Pty Ltd PO Box 226, Quinns Rocks Western Australia 6030
Tel: +61 (0)4 3497 5848
Fax:+61 (0)8 9305 7629
[log in to unmask]
--




-----Original Message-----
From: [log in to unmask]
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Klaus Krippendorff
Sent: Sunday, 7 December 2014 12:07 PM
To: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design
Subject: design theory

terry,

i've read your response to my question to you to give us an example of a
predictive "design theory" which you and ken are advocating. i've read it on
my cell phone and wanted to answer on my computer but can't find it on
either device.

part of your message complains of feeling attacked. this is far from my
intention. i was aware that i posed a challenging question whose answer
would clarify what you had in mind regarding design. i had asked you because
i have the feeling you are subscribing to a notion of theory taken literally
from the natural sciences in which predictions is the currency of
publishable success. when you refer to theories you have a tendency to talk
about generalities, including what constituted evidence, etc. i was more
interested in design

as a communication scholar i am dealing with theories of human communication
all the time, with conceptions of dialogue, with the relationship between
speech acts and what they accomplish, with models of influence, with issues
of power, submission, and liberation. such theories then to be
propositional, occasionally based on mathematical formulations, for example,
limits on communication in information theoretical terms. although i have
proposed some theoretical propositions on design, but they do not reach the
requirement of the kind of predictive specificity you seem to impose.

so, i just want to read an example of a valid design theory - not assertions
of requirements for one, such as that they should be evidence based,
predictive, general, useful for designers, etc. i think this simple question
deserves an answer from a vocal proponent of design theory.

klaus


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