Philosophical and methodological aspects of Operations Research: the evolution of an interdisciplinary area

Operations Research fits into the history of the great technological and scientific events of the twentieth century. Its influence on the emergence of other sciences and applications, whose developments in the post-war period contributed to the increased rationalization of modern society are evident. Given this context, this article aims to trace an analytical reconstruction on the philosophical and methodological aspects that mark the history of operations research. Such reconstruction will be developed based on a historical method using bibliography and documents. The refinement of Operations Research techniques was a determining factor for its success, and its methodological and philosophical aspects have revered thinkers such as John Dewey, Churchman, and Capra, who are references to understand modern men's thought. It turns out that World War II was determinant for science in general and more specifically for the great advance of operations research. The achievements of the OR, largely, result from the formation of multidisciplinary groups that allowed the evolution of the area in several directions, providing an interdisciplinary dialogue.