Design Research in the Age of Neuroscience: The Value of the Second-Order Cybernetic Practice Perspective
Abstract
Open peer commentary on the article “Design Research as a Variety of Second-Order Cybernetic Practice” by Ben Sweeting. Upshot: This commentary highlights the relevance of understanding design research as a variety of second-order cybernetic practice. It does so by illustrating possible contributions of this view to several concrete issues surrounding the introduction of neuroscientific framework to architectural design. Based on the implications of Sweeting’s article, I suggest that the specific case of an interdisciplinary dialogue between architecture and cognitive science can provide a plausible testing ground as a new research field for second-order cybernetic practice and second-order science.