34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) - Singapore, Singapore - 2026

https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0309

Lean construction epistemology: human-centered insights from Plato and Aristotle

Rubén Romo1, Eric Forcael2, Francisco Moreno3 & Francisco Orozco4

1Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara 45010, Mexico; [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-5941-0173
2Professor, Facultad de Ingeniería, Universidad San Sebastián, Concepción 4081339, Chile; [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0002-3036-4329
3Assistant Professor, School of Engineering, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara 45010, Mexico; [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-4058-9350
4Professor, School of Engineering, Universidad Panamericana, Guadalajara 45010, Mexico; [email protected], orcid.org/0000-0003-2409-1026

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to explore how the philosophical ideas of the “Person” and human well-being articulated by the key Greek thinkers, Plato and Aristotle, provide a foundational framework for understanding contemporary approaches to value creation in Lean Construction (LC). By examining Plato’s vision of the human being as oriented toward ideal forms and ethical elevation, alongside Aristotle’s conception of the person as a rational, emotional, and social agent whose flourishing depends on balance and practical wisdom, this study highlights how classical philosophy continues to inform modern notions of comfort, well-being, and ethical practice in the built environment. The article shows how important philosophical concepts, such as Plato’s quest for the ideal good and Aristotle’s emphasis on eudaimonia, harmony, and moral action, align with the tenets of LC, particularly its emphasis on respect for people, ongoing improvement, and the optimization of circumstances to enhance human experience. The primacy of the Human-centered in Lean processes connects with Greek thought, in which well-being, virtue, and correct conduct serve as the basis for any purposeful production. The research provides a conceptual paradigm that integrates Platonic and Aristotelian perspectives on the Person with contemporary management techniques through Lean principles.

Keywords

Plato, Aristotle, human-centered insights, lean construction, lean theory.

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Reference in APA 7th edition format:

Romo, R., Forcael, E., Moreno, F. & Orozco, F.. (2026). Lean construction epistemology: human-centered insights from Plato and Aristotle. In Hamzeh, F., Poshdar, M., & Garcia-Lopez,, N. P. (Eds.), Proceedings of the 34th Annual Conference of the International Group for Lean Construction (IGLC 34) (pp. 642–654). https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0309

Shortened reference for use in IGLC papers:

Romo, R., Forcael, E., Moreno, F. & Orozco, F.. (2026). Lean construction epistemology: human-centered insights from Plato and Aristotle. IGLC34. https://doi.org/10.24928/2026/0309

 

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