On subjectivity in focal engineering

Abstract

The concept of focal engineering is discussed as a means of taking institutional care for the impact of engineering technologies on the lifeworld. The individual focal engineer is presented as moving into the intersubjective conversation of the lifeworld from out of her/his authentic subjectivity. The engineering enterprise is considered as a contextual phenomenon, including three contextual layers: lifeworld containing the realm of systems, systems containing the realm of technological systems, and technological systems containing the realm of engineering. With increasing technical development, the lifeworld is more and more colonized by systems, especially the technological subsystem. These systems have a broad influence on the lifeworld, as criteria of these subsystems, e.g. efficiency and productivity, seem to dominate everyday life. The colonization process is largely done without rational oversight and seems to indicate a technological determinism. Problems arise from this process. As technological values tend to dictate more and more the shape of the lifeworld, human freedom will be more and more limited. The danger of a dehumanized lifeworld appears. Engineers are largely involved in the process, as technological design is a basic goal of the discipline. The main question is, how should technological design be done in order to be appropriate to the boundary condition of maintaining freedoms in an authentically humanized lifeworld? This is the place of focal engineering.