Abstract

In a series of publications in the early 1990s, Silvio Funtowicz and Jerome Ravetz coined the phrase “post-normal science” and set out its dimensions. Drawing on the framework of their efforts, the reflections assembled in this paper invite the reader to consider the contours of post-normal engineering. These reflections start with overviews of post-normal science and what could be called “normal” engineering. From there, this paper first spells out a picture of features of post-normal engineering directly aligned with post-normal science before going on to look at other conceptual elements which, to some degree, break with this alignment. Together, these can be said to constitute the “new face of post-normal engineering.” This discussion will serve as a lens through which to explore possible on-ramps philosophers may use to engage with engineers and others in an “extended peer community.”