Engineering, Leadership, and Integral Philosophy

Abstract

The modern world is a complex, interwoven, dynamic of technology and humanity. In the two-sided, zealous advocacy, public debate scenario, critical human issues often get lost. Reducing issues to two sides rarely reveals the broader truth needed to guide our civilization. A civil engineer's talents include thinking systemically, visualizing complex technical and human interactions, and resolving conflicting viewpoints. Today, these three talents create a major opportunity and a responsibility to become involved in societal leadership. Twenty-first-century leaders need a more inclusive philosophical framework. The integral philosophy offers such a framework. This philosophy includes the individual and community as both physical elements—the outer world we see—and the psychospiritual elements in the culture—the inner world of meaning. Engineers can become more involved in leadership and more valuable to our culture by adopting and advancing an integral philosophy. Engineers can expand their already significant skills to deal with a broader range of societal issues.