Designing in Dark Times Philosophy through Design

This book proposes a novel and foundational approach to understanding how contemporary design practice and philosophy relate, with examples that explore technology, society and ecology. Philosophy through Design proposes a new approach to design practice grounded in a philosophical reflection in and on action, with alignments being drawn to the democratic pragmatism of John Dewey and Jane Addams as well as key contemporary philosophic perspectives. Throughout, Dixon stresses the need for designers to engage critically, ethically and reflectively as they seek to meet the complex challenges of the 21st century. The key argument is that design practice can itself become a mode of philosophical inquiry, supporting designers’ efforts to experiment, reflect and act responsibly and make and remake the ever-evolving future as potential ‘designer philosophers’.