Philosophy, Cognitive Science, and Design

This short article is coming from my Tweetstorm - https://twitter.com/aditgupta/status/1178886100548370432?s=20

Over the past 3 years, I’ve realized that designers need philosophy more than they need cognitive science. While I do have my bias, I will provide reasons for my argument.

Most HCI principles are based on our understanding of memory, attention, and perception. So, as we keep on learning new things about cognition, we have covered adequate ground that matters while designing products. Any details about neurology or how the brain works are good to know but are inconsequential while *actually* designing products. You can’t convince your stakeholders by telling them about neurons and synapses. The macro of cognitive science matters and is covered with HCI principles and heuristics. The micro does not matter pragmatically.

By studying philosophy, you train yourself in constructing rational, sound arguments that *actually* help you in decision-making and convincing stakeholders. It develops your critical thinking, and this matters a lot.

A study into moral/ethical philosophy prepares you for taking decisions in today’s environment of evolving technology, social, and geopolitical concerns. Morality cannot be crowdsourced, but it can be understood in better ways through philosophy.

I would go out on a limb and say that even metaphysics matters, especially ontology of events and causality. It can help you better understand and even mitigate unintended consequences.

Epistemology can help you in better research, especially for answering questions related to transferability.

I’m not saying to deep dive into Kantian studies or various “isms” of philosophy. But an understanding of philosophical arguments and methods can help you become a better designer.

So, should designers now also formally study philosophy along with coding, business and everything else? No. The point is to get better tools and not a canon to do your work. Get acquainted with philosophy, study deeply if you like it. Augment not enforce.