Connor Arrigan, a Ph.D. student under the mentorship of Professor Singer at the University of Michigan, recently won the inaugural Best Student Paper Award at the 15th International Marine Design Conference. His paper, titled “The Importance of Ontological Commitment and Linguistics in Relation to the Elucidation of Design Requirements,” explores how the role of linguistics…
Connor Arrigan, a Ph.D. student under the mentorship of Professor Singer at the University of Michigan, recently won the inaugural Best Student Paper Award at the 15th International Marine Design Conference. His paper, titled “The Importance of Ontological Commitment and Linguistics in Relation to the Elucidation of Design Requirements,” explores how the role of linguistics and philosophy are largely overlooked in engineering and design.
The research emphasizes the significant impact of language for expressing and translating ambiguous terms into specific technical, unambiguous design requirements and the resulting underpinning of final outcomes for design projects, particularly in shipbuilding. By integrating insights from philosophy and linguistics, the paper discusses concepts like “ontological commitment” and “ontological anchors,” which provide a new view to help engineers and designers understand design outcomes. This clarity is crucial in avoiding costly modifications and ensuring that initial design choices align with the project’s long-term goals and requirements.
In practical terms, Connor’s work sheds light on how choices made early in the design process can profoundly influence the entire trajectory of a project, especially in complex fields such as marine engineering. Real-world examples from the Littoral Combat Ship program underscore these principles, illustrating how designs can inherently evolve independent of engineering or design requirements.
Looking ahead, the study suggests that being able to identify “ontological commitments” and “ontological anchors” can help prevent the need for costly design revisions and help mitigate the risk of design failure. This approach fosters a shared understanding of design requirements and design outcomes among multidisciplinary design teams.
“I became an engineer to avoid fields like philosophy, and I was initially hesitant to incorporate philosophy-based concepts into my research,” said Arrigan. “Yet, I’ve come to realize that philosophy can be a vital tool in helping us understand the decisions we make as engineers and designers. This year’s IMDC was fantastic, and I’m truly honored to have been chosen for the award. I look forward to continuing the research and seeing where it will lead.”
Connor’s achievement at the IMDC highlights the University of Michigan’s ongoing commitment to advancing marine design research. With a strong presence at the conference, including 19 faculty, students, and alumni, Michigan’s Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering (NAME) program continues to lead innovations in the field. As the industry evolves, incorporating insights from interdisciplinary studies like Connor’s could pave the way for more efficient, cost-effective, and robust ship design practices worldwide.