工程研究——跨学科视野中的工程2026，Vol.18Issue(3)：213-224,12.DOI:10.3724/j.issn.1674-4969.20260011
论道家设计思想中的"上游思维"
On the"Upstream Thinking"in the Daoist Philosophy of Design
摘要
Abstract
In light of the ecological crises,technological alienation,and value imbalances that are increasingly surfacing in the modern era,the limitations of the prevailing conception of design rooted in the framework of Western modernity are being gradually exposed.Owing to its profound ontological foundations and value guidance,Chinese philosophy,in particular,Daoist thoughts,can offer an informative and enriching perspective to the reflection and reconstruction of Western modern design theory.This paper attempts to reconstruct a Daoist philosophy of design and explore how it can guide modern design theory and practice beyond the boundaries of contemporary western design paradigms. In particular,the design philosophy inherent in Daoist thoughts gives modern design studies a more profound metaphysical underpinning,epitomized most clearly in the transcendent aspiration of"Technique Advancing into Dao"(技进乎道).This principle reveals that design should not be confined to the level of technical skill or instrumental problem-solving.Rather,through enduring practice and deep understandings of the natural order,technique can ascend towards Dao.In this sense,Dao is the ultimate horizon that guides and governs design activities.While this principle defines the metaphysical orientation of design,the concept of"Good Governance Never Fragments"(大制不割)offers its methodological basis.It stresses the need to respect the inherent patterns and integrity of things and not to intervene excessively or forcefully,but to allow forms and functions to unfold according to their own natural tendencies.Finally,the concept of"Utensils as Vehicle of Dao"(器以载道)helps to express the value orientation of Daoist design.Artifacts are not simply utilitarian tools,but mediums of mediation through which deeper principles are made perceptible and operative in everyday life.Through the careful shaping of form,function and interaction,design has the potential to transfer abstract philosophical understandings into concrete experiential processes and enable techniques and artifacts to become the experiential carrier through which Dao is manifested,apprehended and gradually realized in the lived experience. Demonstrated by its insights on the sources of the systemic issues,its efficient interventions at the core of the issues,and its focus on transcending downstream reactive responses,this framework of the Daoist philosophy of design exhibits features of holism,foresight and fundamental intervention which resonate with the typical characteristics of"upstream thinking".However,as important as their advantages,both Daoist design philosophy and"upstream thinking",in practice,are prone to being the victim of real-world obstacles.In most cases,because of cognitive path dependency,the urgency of"downstream"reactive measures tend to overshadow"upstream"prevention.At the same time,institutional incentive systems are often designed to reward quick fixes over more system-wide interventions,and the absence of clear accountability for addressing the"upstream"roots discourages actors from acting at the source.These obstacles make"upstream"problems unseen,"upstream"efforts unrecognized and"upstream"responsibilities undesignated.To overcome such barriers and to enable Daoist design philosophy to realize its full potentials,this paper proposes a framework of practice,totaling elements of cognition,institution and governance.Specifically,it calls for advancing visualization so that"upstream"causal structures are perceivable,institutionalization so that"upstream-oriented"principles are entrenched in decision-making and incentive systems,and source-oriented accountability mechanisms so that"upstream"responsibility is undertaken.Under this framework,each part works in a mutually reinforcing way with each other,with the goal of bringing design to a more"upstream"orientation.关键词
道家哲学/上游思维/设计哲学/技进乎道/大制不割/机制构建Key words
Taoist philosophy/upstream thinking/design philosophy/Technique Advancing into the Dao/Good Governance Never Fragments/construction of institutional frameworks分类
社会科学引用本文复制引用
张卫,张书赫..论道家设计思想中的"上游思维"[J].工程研究——跨学科视野中的工程,2026,18(3):213-224,12.基金项目
教育部人文社会科学研究规划基金:技术设计的伦理嵌入机制研究(24YJA7200) （24YJA7200）
