Just a link for now (handheld users will have to read it at their desks I'm afraid):

The Origins of Pattern Theory
the Future of the Theory,
And The Generation of a Living World

http://www.patternlanguage.com/archive/ieee/ieeetext.htm

This is the author of the forthcoming book mentioned in the previous post. I'll try and make some comments in the next few days.

In particular the author talks about the patterns he developed for architecture (as in buildings and such) actually having a 'moral' component. He suggests that the next step to translating the concept of design patterns to IT will introduce this moral component.

I think he's right.