In existing factor-based design methods ‘multivalency’, ‘otherness’, and conflict of social value systems, from which design factors derive, have largely been ignored. In the implicit approach of ‘cohesion’ it is assumed and dictated that design processes eventually lead to covergence and equilibrium, a view widely held in science. ReD, the ‘reliable design’ method proposed here, makes possible the representation of design factors and social value systems, along with their interactive properties, by means of probability theory (inspired by von Neumann's ‘design principle’), as well as the estimation and improvement of design reliability. Use of the method is demonstrated via an hypothetical case.
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