Abstract
Design abduction has been studied over the last several decades in order to increase our understanding in design reasoning. Yet, there is still considerable confusion and ambiguity regarding this topic. Some scholars contend that all regressive inferences in design - and design is mostly done by such backwards or regressive reasoning - are in fact abductions. Others focus on formal syllogistic forms in their attempt to clarify abduction. In contrast, we argue here that a defining characteristic of abduction is the production of, or the potential to produce, novel outcomes. Novelty is shown to be relative and depend mostly on what is known to the "reasoner" at the time of making the inference. Novelty is also shown to not necessarily be part of the direct outcome of an abductive inference; but rather, an attribute of an abductive design strategy that is intended to produce a new idea.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | DS 87-7 Proceedings of the 21st International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED) |
Subtitle of host publication | Design Theory and Research Methodology, Vancouver, Canada, 21-25.08.2017 |
Editors | Anja Maier, Stanko Škec, Harrison Kim, Michael Kokkolaras, Josef Oehmen, Georges Fadel, Filippo Salustri, Mike Van der Loos |
Publisher | The Design Society |
Pages | 61-70 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Volume | 7 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781904670957 |
Publication status | Published - 2017 |
Event | 21st International Conference on Engineering Design - University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada Duration: 21 Aug 2017 → 25 Aug 2017 Conference number: 21 http://iced17.org/ (Link to Conference Website) |
Publication series
Name | ICED |
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ISSN (Print) | 2220-4342 |
Conference
Conference | 21st International Conference on Engineering Design |
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Abbreviated title | ICED 17 |
Country/Territory | Canada |
City | Vancouver |
Period | 21/08/17 → 25/08/17 |
Internet address |
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