A Philosopher Looks at Architecture

Extract

In the introduction to his book, Paul Guyer writes that if he ‘was ever properly trained in anything at all, it was as an historian of philosophy’ (p. 14). It should not come as a surprise, then, that the way this ‘philosopher looks at architecture’ (to echo the title of the book) is primarily historical. Guyer discusses buildings and theories of architecture mostly in chronological order, pointing out changes and differences, but also, and above all, what architects and thinkers from antiquity to the present agree on—namely, that the goals of architecture are good construction, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. By highlighting this point of agreement, Guyer aims to do more than uncover a historical truth. He also aims to establish a philosophical claim: that the criteria it is proper to use to evaluate architecture have remained the same, despite the changing circumstances. In his seminal Ten Books on Architecture, the ancient Roman architect Vitruvius already identified the criteria as durability (firmitas), utility (utilitas), and beauty (venustas). Since these have continued to be the goals of architecture—Guyer’s historical point—it is always proper to evaluate architecture in terms of whether it achieves those goals—Guyer’s philosophical point. In Guyer’s own words, the Vitruvian triad remains ‘valid’.