The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

by Samuel C. Florman

Overview

Humans have always sought to change their environment—building houses, monuments, temples, and roads. In the process, they have remade the fabric of the world into newly functional objects that are also works of art to be admired. In this second edition of his popular Existential Pleasures of Engineering, Samuel Florman explores how engineers think and feel about their profession.

A deeply insightful and refreshingly unique text, this book corrects the myth that engineering is cold and passionless. Indeed, Florman celebrates engineering not only crucial and fundamental but also vital and alive; he views it as a response to some of our deepest impulses, an endeavor rich in spiritual and sensual rewards. Opposing the "anti-technology" stance, Florman gives readers a practical, creative, and even amusing philosophy of engineering that boasts of pride in his craft.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312141042
Publisher:	St. Martin's Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/15/1996
Edition description:	Second Edition
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	457,817
Product dimensions:	5.60(w) x 8.25(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Samuel C. Florman, a civil engineer, has also written The Civilized Engineer and Blaming Technology, in addition to The Introspective Engineer. He lives in New York State.

Editorial Reviews

Gracefully written . . . refreshing and highly infectious enthusiasm . . . imaginatively engineered.” —The New York Times Book Review

“A useful read for engineers given to self-scrutiny, and a stimulating one for the layman interested in the ancient schism between machines and men's souls.” —Time

“An urbane, witty, intellectually far-ranging, large-spirited hymn to homo faber.” —The Wall Street Journal

“Enchanting.” —The New Yorker

From the Publisher