Comparative analysis of the ideas of Alexander, Heidegger and Gadamer about architecture

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 PhD, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Art University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran

3 Professor, Faculty of Architecture and Urban Planning, Iran University of Art, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Christopher Alexander introduces an interpretation about the architecture in the chapter “Face of God” of “Nature of Order: The Luminous Ground “.On the other hand, philosophers of phenomenology such as Martin Heidegger and Hans-Georg Gadamer also have theories about the interpreting of art-works, including architecture, which seem to be comparable to Alexander's ideas in some respects. This research intends to do a comparative analysis of Alexander's ideas with Heidegger's and Gadamer's ideas about the architecture. This analysis will be done by emphasizing two key concepts of Heidegger's and Gadamer's theories, that is, the concept of uncertainty in interpretation of texts and in author's intention, and concept of the interpreter's mental preinterpretation and subjective knowledge. The research is qualitative and fundamental, and it was conducted using the phenomenological method with a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. The results of the research emphasize the existence of a relationship between Alexander’s interpretation about architecture and the architect's mentality and Heidegger's and Gadamer's ontological theories on art and architecture. The results of examining the concept of uncertainty have shown that there is a closeness between the opinions of these three theorists regarding the existence of a truth behind the artwork and its appearance through architectural works. The results of the investigation of the concept of uncertainty have shown that the meaning of art-works is not definite and fixed for the mentioned philosopher, and according to Alexander, the art-works has a fixed truth. The results of the study of the concept of the interpreter's mental preinterpretation in architecture have also shown that Alexander's thoughts about internal knowledge are related to the architect's mentality and the creation of architecture, and according to Heidegger and Gadamer, internal knowledge, prejudices, and mentality are related to the audience and observer of the architectural work. Also, similarities between the thoughts of these three theorists were seen in the belief in the realization of the principle of unity between the creator and the art-work, and the audience and the art-work.

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 February 2023
  • Revise Date: 28 December 2023
  • Accept Date: 10 March 2025

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