Monistic Design : Ground Theory for New Design Paradigm

Abstract

We need to seek after new direction and order of design that puts more value on the spirits and culture of human beings in the 21st century, creating a new, all-inclusive value in which individual human being, the society and the environment can co-exist in a peaceful relationship by overcoming the materialistic, analytical, competitive, and differentiated values of traditional industrial society. The aim of this study, then, is to present a new method of design that can meet the demands of the 21st century in a civic age of information, knowledge and culture, by focusing on Monistic ideals derived from a deeply rooted Oriental philosophy. The concept of Monism is embodied by a mindset that treasures the benefit to others over rewards to the self, puts more importance on the spiritual life hidden behind physical phenomena, thinks more of what lacks than what exceeds, elevates the mind over the body, and seeks after beauty via a total harmony of balance and development that can be feasible only by combining all these elements. Ultimately, the new design principle based on the Monism consists of three basic elements: (l) identification of the subject and the object between things under the perception that all things are one (Unification); (2) the ability that helps things exist with appropriate beauty maintaining balance and stability (Harmony); and (3) the attitude of sharing to maintain sustainable vitality by filling up what lacks or is missing in a whole(Change).