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Samuel Florman Books

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Samuel Florman is an American author known for his critical reflections on modern urban life. His works often explore the relationship between technology, urban planning, and human behavior.

The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

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Men Problem Age Effort Fate Glory Burden Harsh New Beginnings Zest

Author:Samuel Florman

“We recognize that we cannot survive on meditation, poems and sunsets. We are restless. We have an irresistible urge to dip our hands into the stuff of the earth and do something with it.”

Hands Earth Stuff Meditation Sunset Urges Restless Irresistible Dip

Author:Samuel Florman

“Engineering is the art or science of making practical.”

Art Science Definitions Practicals Engineering Engineers

Book:The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

Source: The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

“Every technological product has to be designed and its fabrication overseen, and this is what engineers DO.”

Products Engineers Technological Fabrication

Author:Samuel Florman

“... engineering is a basic instinct in man, the expression of which is existentially fulfilling.”

Men Expression Instinct Engineering Fulfilling

Author:Samuel Florman

“... man cannot help but transcend himself as soon as he begins to design and construct.”

Men Helping Design Engineering Constructs

Author:Samuel Florman

“... the ancient joy of helping the tribe to survive is constantly rekindled in the engineer's heart.”

Heart Helping Joy Ancient Engineering Engineers Tribes

Author:Samuel Florman

“The engineer's power was usually limited to a refusal to endorse a given plan, or to the tender of his resignation.”

Given Plans Engineering Engineers Refusal Resignation

Book:The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

Source: The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

“Knowledge gives a wider choice and more anguish.”

Giving Choices Knowledge Anguish

Author:Samuel Florman

“... it is clear that our survival and the salvaging of our environment are dependent on more technology, not less.”

Technology Clear Environment Survival Dependent Our Environment

Author:Samuel Florman

“All about us the sense of disenchantment with technology appears to be growing. No one ... can ignore the fall of the engineer from the dizzying heights he once occupied... . with the coming of the environmental crisis, our relationship to society has changed. We cannot ... pretend that ... a hundred space spectaculars can restore things to what they were.”

Fall Space Technology Growing Changed Hundred Crisis Environmental Height Our Relationship Engineers Disenchantment Environmental Crisis

Author:Samuel Florman

“There is scarcely a technical issue for which you cannot find expert witnesses of differing opinions.”

Opinion Technology Issues Witness Experts

Author:Samuel Florman

“We all have ambivalent feelings toward work ... We try to avoid it, and yet we seem to require it for our emotional well-being.”

Trying Wells Feelings Seems Work Emotional Well Being Ambivalent Emotional Well Being Ambivalent Feelings

Author:Samuel Florman

About the Author

Born: January 19, 1925
Known for: Author
Quotes: 13

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Samuel Florman Books

The Existential Pleasures of Engineering

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