Structural Analysis of Publicness in Modern Japanese Engineering Societies

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K00255
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 01080:Sociology of science, history of science and technology-related
• Research Institution: Kanazawa Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Natsume Kenichi 金沢工業大学, 基礎教育部, 教授 (70449429)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 日本工学会 / 日本建築学会 / 照明学会 / 技術者倫理 / 社会的責任 / 時局対策 / 民防空 / 明視論

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This project clarified the recognition of the social responsibility of engineers and engineering professors in the engineering societies affiliated with the Japan Federation of Engineering Societies from the prewar period to the 1950s. It recognized industry-academia cooperation to contribute to Japan's national policy as a social responsibility. Since civil engineers were responsible for public works, it was easier for them to adopt the goal of serving their nation. The project also analyzed the Institute of Japanese Architects' civil air defense measures and the Nippon Architect Association's professionalization campaign. Based on the case studies, it was confirmed that the engineering ethics was modeled after the United States and was compatible with the democratic ideas. The project also analyzed a socially constructed process of the interdisciplinary activities in the Special Committee on Better Sight of the Illuminating Engineering Institute of Japan.

Free Research Field

科学社会学および科学技術史関連

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究で進めた工学者・技術者の公的使命に関する歴史的分析は、日本における技術者倫理についての今後の改善に役立つことが期待される。また、建築学会の都市防空対策についての研究成果は、専門家の戦時リスク評価および市民とのリスクコミュニケーションという現代的課題に取り組む上での歴史的な理解を与えるものである。