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Biomorphism and Models in Design

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Philosophy and Cognitive Science II

Part of the book series: Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics ((SAPERE,volume 20))

Abstract

Biomorphism is a form of biomimicry that involves the use of biological forms as models for the design of artifacts such as airplanes, computers, and islands. This article characterizes biomorphism as a form of abductive reasoning. It also provides an overview of biomorphic design in terms of the parameters of similarity and utility. The cognitive significance of biomorphism is reviewed with respect to research in pareidolia and consumer choice. The normative status of biomorphism is considered in light of its tendency to conflate natural and artificial categories.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Society, Technology and Values, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada

    Cameron Shelley

Authors
  1. Cameron Shelley
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Cameron Shelley .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Philosophy and Computational Philosophy Laboratory, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy

    Lorenzo Magnani

  2. Department of Philosophy, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China

    Ping Li

  3. School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea, Republic of (South Korea)

    Woosuk Park

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Shelley, C. (2015). Biomorphism and Models in Design. In: Magnani, L., Li, P., Park, W. (eds) Philosophy and Cognitive Science II. Studies in Applied Philosophy, Epistemology and Rational Ethics, vol 20. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-18479-1_12

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