What do engineers do? And what should they work on? A surprising answer is outlined in this essay, which argues that reading novels holds the key for addressing both questions. Novels train the imagination as well as our ethical abilities – skills that are essential for developing future-proof technologies.

Abstract

Engineering work is much less solid and much airier than often assumed. And precisely for this reason, another rather airy activity is a good training for it: namely the reading of novels. I argue for two benefits of novel reading: first, reading exercises skills central to engineering design, such as imagination and fictionality competence; second, it trains the ethical capabilities of the reader, e.g., the ability of taking over other person's perspectives. These benefits are illustrated by using the examples of different novels in which the focus is laid especially on sustainability topics. Lastly, some uses of novels in engineering education are briefly discussed.