From a Micro–Macro Framework to a Micro–Meso–Macro Framework

Abstract

At the beginning of the twenty-first century, the philosophy of engineering is becoming its own distinct branch of philosophy. The growing importance of philosophy of engineering cannot be overemphasized, since it has raised or will raise considerable and fundamental issues that challenge traditional ontology, methodology, and epistemology. Engineering is extremely complicated. Without initiating and advocating a new conceptual framework or paradigm, including a number of new categories, neither philosophers nor engineers could comprehend or demonstrate the essential characteristics of engineering. In particular, some social scientists pay significant attention to the relationship between micro (at the level of individuals) and macro (at the level of institutions or the social whole) issues, and as a result, a variety of micro–macro frameworks have advanced. There are four approaches for scientists to investigate social phenomena: micro-theory-based approach, macro-theory-based approach, micro–macro approach, and micro–meso–macro approach. As for engineering phenomena, scholars should focus on engineering facts, engineering acts, and engineering results, which comprise the three layers. A great number of perspectives contribute to a more complete and deeper understanding of engineering practice as a kind of multiple social construction assemblage. Engineering as a tangible architecture of social reality should be explained as a kind of multiple construction undertaken at micro, meso, and macro levels. The traditional micro–macro framework is obsolete. As such, it is time to establish a new kind of micro–meso–macro framework.