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Using Design Hierarchy in Digital Logic to Illustrate the Scientific Method As a Human Invention

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Using Design Hierarchy in Digital Logic to Illustrate the Scientific Method As a Human Invention Volume 42 Number 1 Article 1 September 2013 Using Design Hierarchy in Digital Logic to Illustrate the Scientific Method as a Human Invention Douglas DeBoer Dordt College, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/pro_rege Part of the Christianity Commons, Engineering Commons, and the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation DeBoer, Douglas (2013) "Using Design Hierarchy in Digital Logic to Illustrate the Scientific Method as a Human Invention," Pro Rege: Vol. 42: No. 1, 1 - 8. Available at: https://digitalcollections.dordt.edu/pro_rege/vol42/iss1/1 This Feature Article is brought to you for free and open access by the University Publications at Digital Collections @ Dordt. It has been accepted for inclusion in Pro Rege by an authorized administrator of Digital Collections @ Dordt. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Editor’s Note: This paper was presented at the Christian Engineering Conference, Atlanta, Georgia, June 2013. It was then published in Proceedings of the 2013 Christian Engineering Conference, pp. 99–106. Permission to publish was granted by Steve VanderLeest, Conference Chair. Using Design Hierarchy in Digital Logic to Illustrate the Scientific Method as a Human Invention method. The scientific method is defined as the process of systematic observation, measurement, experimentation, and the formulation, testing and modification of hypotheses.2 These definitions can be reasonably construed to be the type of science and scientific method that John McCain meant and what others who “believe in global warming” or “evolution” or some other topic mean. The Human Activity of Doing Science and Engineering Science, as defined above, is a product of hu- man thought and activity. For Christians, the cul- by Douglas De Boer tural mandate to rule over creation (Genesis 1.28) offers a definition of our human purpose, thus Introduction offering direction to our thoughts and activities. What level of authority should be given to “sci- The relation of the cultural mandate to engineer- ence?” In a 2008 presidential debate, candidate ing is full of complex tensions and ambiguities that John McCain said that “[public] policy ought to make engineering work challenging and reward- be based upon sound science.”1 Others say they ing.3 In our response to the cultural mandate, we “believe in global warming” or “evolution” or some might, at times, employ the scientific method. Even other topic of current interest. For the purposes though Christians believe that all of our thoughts of this paper, science is taken as a body of knowl- and activities ought to be expressive of our devo- edge acquired from the outworking of the scientific tion to God’s mandates, they are tainted because of our sinful and fallible nature. The Bible informs us that our thoughts and activities are imperfect. Dr. Douglas F. De Boer is professor of engineering at Dordt College. Nevertheless, knowledge offered by science is valu- Pro Rege—September 2013 1 able in its application to everyday life. It is valuable science has the goal of discovering knowledge. In because it offers a degree of prediction of the future addition to using scientific knowledge, engineers or allows us a degree of control over the future or use mathematical knowledge and knowledge of le- a degree of mitigation of some potential harm in gal or quasi-legal structures such as various codes the future. A very important aspect of science is its (e.g. The International Building Code); they also potential application to utilitarian purposes, which respond to marketplace information (demand for is an aspect of engineering. a new product, warrantee service records, prices of Consider in more detail how science and engi- raw materials, etc.); and in general, they employ a neering relate to each other. A dictionary definition wide variety of types of knowledge. The outcome of engineering defines it as a “branch of science” of engineering work is also broader than what the concerned with the development and modification common understanding of “engine” would imply. of “engines” (in various senses meaning machines, Engineers participate in government and politics as structures, complicated systems, etc.) using special- part of their engineering employment by develop- ized knowledge, especially scientific knowledge, ing regulations for some types of commerce, for ex- typically for public or commercial use.4 In this ample in patent law, and in standardizing weights commonly held view of engineering, development and measures and regulating communications and modification, which are human activities, are technologies such as cable TV, telephone networks, at the true core of the definition; however, the con- and many other technical services. They perform cept of an “engine” is a more memorable part of the significant activities not directly related to building definition. In other words, to the extent that the and modifying “engines,” in the broad sense of the common definitions relate engineering to activities, word and not centrally rooted in the application of they tend to highlight the application of science (as science, even if in most cases science is not far from defined above) as the most important engineer- the center of the activity. ing activity, if not the only activity! Furthermore, A text edited by Monsma5 offers a more com- typical dictionary definitions of engineering tend plete definition of engineering. It cites five key ele- to draw attention to the products and purposes ments of engineering. First, engineering is a human of engineering rather than to the type of human cultural activity. Second, the activity is done by ex- activities that constitute engineering. It is perhaps ercising freedom and responsibility in (obedient or no wonder that some people in the general public disobedient) response to God’s cultural mandate. have vague notions of why one might want to be an Third, it involves the forming and reforming of the engineer. Perhaps some of our students, who may natural creation. Fourth, it is done with the aid of enjoy studying science, have elected to study engi- tools and procedures. And fifth, it is done for prac- neering as an “applied science.” Others might be tical purposes. Non-Christians may prefer to mod- enamored of “engines” (or more typically cars, big ify or eliminate the second aspect of this definition. buildings, computers, smart phones, robots, artifi- However, this is a key element for Christians. Not cial prostheses, etc.) and thus choose to study en- only is engineering an activity done in response gineering. These are some of the people who could to God’s mandate, but the same can be said for benefit from a more nuanced understanding of sci- science or, indeed, many other human activities. ence and engineering Recognizing science and engineering as being root- Indeed science is an important aspect of engi- ed in human activities, which may or may not be neering, but is it in some way a final authority? It obedient to God’s will, is the key element of this cannot be because engineering is substantially dif- definition of engineering that offers an engineer -di ferent from scientific activity. Although engineers rection toward meaningful engineering work. occasionally do some science, and more frequently It is in responding to God that we human be- they “apply science,” it would be inaccurate to char- ings find fulfillment and true joy in life. An engi- acterize all of engineering by that sliver of the whole. neering student who is not aware of this more nu- Engineering has a goal of creating certain types of anced definition of engineering could focus on the technological things, not just “engines,” whereas “engines”—the outcomes of engineering—or focus 2 Pro Rege—September 2013 on only the scientific aspects of engineering and ties. We can speak of the truth-value of the Boolean then later become disillusioned with the discipline statement. The truth-value is either true or false, no of engineering on the grounds that engineering, be- shades of grey. ing merely the application of science for utilitarian But what if part of the lawn is shady and long purposes, offers little enrichment for one’s spirit. It and another part is rather sunburned and should not is important that students and faculty members in be mowed? If one must work with a single Boolean engineering realize the human origins of science statement, then one must pick the best fit, either (and engineering) so that they knowingly can par- true or false, and act accordingly. Otherwise, one ticipate in freedom and responsibility as a response can divide the park into zones, maybe two of them to the cultural mandate, from which joy and fulfill- or maybe a million of them, and create a Boolean ment follow. statement for each zone. Then perhaps a computer- ized lawnmower could mow just the zones where the corresponding Boolean statement is true. By Science . is a result of human using more Boolean variables (zones), one can ac- commodate more of the complexities of a real situ- activity, done in obedience or ation to produce more useful outcomes, probably disobedience to God’s will. at increased cost. But even if managing a million zones in the park were practical, that still would not encompass all the reality of the park’s lawn. As Teaching Digital Logic a matter of utility and economy, we will use as few When teaching the subject of digital logic, one zones as is practical. We will deliberately omit some finds that the hierarchical nature of the subject or maybe a lot of detail from consideration. This offers prime opportunities to instruct students in example illustrates the principle of scientific abstrac- these fundamental definitions. By discussing the tion. We are finite beings. We need to focus our at- role of hierarchy, one can draw attention to the tention, which means we must neglect some (hope- human activity that originated the body of knowl- fully irrelevant) details.
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