We are not thinking machines. We are feeling machines that think.
Antonio Damasio
Despite the technological advances that have been made and continue to be made in societies that increase our standard of living with regard to areas such as: medical advances; global communications; entertainment; transportation; housing and many others, social problems persist and appear impervious to a rational scientific approach to solving.
Scientists feel threatened and under attack for simply stating what the science is revealing to us all. Or is that a misrepresentation, is the attack attributed to some other causes?
The Manhattan Project was the research and development of the atom bomb during World War II, which was subsequently used on Japan. It has been chosen as it is an extreme example of a wicked problem that clearly illustrates the divide between the successful scientific rational approach and the moral, ethical dilemmas and repercussions that still exist today, over 70 years later, with nuclear weapons. It is noted that most problems termed as wicked are not as extreme or impactful on human life.
Researchers recognize limitations of a purely rational scientific approach in the realm of town planning and the term Wicked Problem is coined.
Summary of the traits of a Wicked Problem as originally articulated in the 1970’s.
The original concept of Wicked Problems is further researched and evolves. Some examples of how researchers have treated the subject.
The understanding of the tame problem space may lead to some clues how to start thinking about the wicked problem space
This section covers various aspects of models and modeling. What form do they take and when to use them and what to expect from them. This will assist when it comes time to propose a model for wicked problems.
Wicked problems require new approaches to compliment the scientific rational approach that successfully implements Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to achieve the desired changes in our physical world that compliments societies moral and ethical values.
Wicked Paths 