Engineering and Philosophy

The April 22, 2013 issue of ENR (Engineering News-Record) is the Award of Excellence Winner 2013.  The winner was Wayne Jones, a project manager with Traylor Bros. Inc.  This is what the article said about Mr. Jones:

"A project manager with Traylor Bros. Inc., Jones is admired for inventive problem solving and quiet, resolute and effective planning and management. His key role in the construction of the Lake Borgne surge barrier all in New Orleans and the delivery of the system in time to keep Hurricane Isaac's surge out of the city last year earns him ENR's 2013 Award of Excellence."

Excellence has many starting points.  From parents, to teachers, to sports, to life experiences, to mentors - - all of these events can have framing impacts as they relate to an internal drive toward excellence.

One of Mr. Jones' starting points is rather unique to the engineering and construction professions.  From the article:

"I've tried to emulate the people I respect in my life - how they deal with other people and what worked for them," Jones says.  "Twenty years ago, I decided to read all of the philosophers, from Aristotle to Spinoza, and I've gone past Spinoza."  Studying philosophy helps him solve people management and construction problems because, Jones says, "philosophy is the critical analysis of a subject while setting aside all of our preconceptions and dogmas."

Taylor's excellence had a starting point in the liberal arts.  For a profession that has a general ignorance of the past and a sense of rootlessness and aimlessness regarding philosophy, Mr. Taylor provides us all with a strong message.