It was a remarkable revelation to realize how deeply philosophy is woven into engineering disciplines. At first, as I leafed through my study materials, I found myself wondering whether I had purchased the wrong book. Yet, page after page, the profound influence of ancient Eastern thought emerged with undeniable clarity.

Concepts such as kaizen, the pursuit of continuous improvement; muda, the elimination of waste; and the harmony of heijunka, production leveling—once unfamiliar terms—became fundamental principles, not only in my studies but in life itself.

There was a constant striving for perfect balance, where every element, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant, had its rightful place, its proper time, and its perfect measure.

These principles echo throughout the great Eastern philosophical traditions: Zen Buddhism, with its devotion to continuous practice and the pursuit of perfection through daily experience; Confucianism, which emphasizes order, discipline, and respect for established principles; and Bushidō, the samurai code, which embodies values of responsibility, self-discipline, and respect for work well done.

As Confucius taught, “Harmony is the most precious thing.” Every system, to function effectively, must adhere to this logic, where precision and simplicity merge in the pursuit of a natural order.

Perhaps, then, engineering knowledge is simply ancient wisdom, refined and applied to the modern world.