International Journal of Architecture, Engineering and Construction Vol 5, No 2, June 2016, 83-97 Philosophy of Architecture and Architecture as Philosophy: The Potentialities in Accordance to Critical Sermon Sayed Ahmed∗ Department of Architecture, Bangladesh University, 15/1 Asad Avenue, Dhaka-1207, Bangladesh Abstract: The consequential philosophical yearning and classical architecture had acquired an exceptional significance during the culmination of ancient Greek world despite all the conflicts and crisis; which are still contextual. In this interdisciplinary study, an estimated “theory” and “hypothesizing” took the major motivating tributary to descend a relation between the modalities of classical philosophy and theory of aesthetics associated with ancient Greek architecture. Thus discourses from philosophy, humanities and artistic theories regarding Greek architectural features are brought within reach. For that, visual, material, construction and stylistic analysis of Greek architecture have constructed the “What and How” while the iconographic discussions will lead us to the answers of “Why”. Some supportive analyses of socio-political history, text and biographies are also deliberated to correlate and prove the evidences. Who knows, architecture might be the memento of Greek metaphysical manifestation; where the then Greek religion, power and patronization, economy, cultural exchange, humane thought and overall, their philosophy translated into hoary stones- something which is still a mystery. Such hypotheses will distillate that how influential were these deep-sighted thoughts and made them able to constituent all these white carving-stone poetry. The philosophical responsiveness might have sprouted from the immanent interrogations in architecture through form function and space, as a speculation of external and transcendental questions to search the “Ideal”. The possible coherence of architecture with philosophy without any distinct horizon in-between, which is less focused earlier, designates the originality of this discourse. Keywords: Greek philosophy, greek architecture, geometry and mathematics, classical orders and techniques, scale and proportion and universal appeal DOI: 10.7492/IJAEC.2016.009 1 INTRODUCTION fact, Plato’s idea was the translation of what Pythagoras meant by the “number” and his taste, preferences and Origins of Greek philosophy have two conventional devotion to geometry have influenced many generations tiers: The first tier includes pre-Socratic rationalized of philosophers by his Dialog (36 are known yet). For explanation which often depicted in prose instead of example, in Aristotle’s theory of abstraction or in more mythopoeic discourse of the epics. The second tier latter period when Spinoza (1632-77AD) proclaims “God contains epistemological and ontological issues discussed and the universal laws of structure and operation all by Plato, Aristotle and selected previous scholars whose are one and the same reality” to introduce the Platonic work relates with them (Halim 2010). This second thought in a new dimension, “God always geometrizes” phrase is important for this study’s literature review. (Bari 1995). For the overall view, philosophers; who ignited the love for knowledge; starting from Thales and followed by The zenith of the Athenian art and architecture Socrates, Plato and Aristotle, turned ethical matters takes place between 400 and 300 BC; meanwhile, their away from physical reality. To formulate the discussion philosophy was well established. During the 8th and of this study we stay upon the philosophy developed by the beginning of the 7th century BC, archaic art philosophers like Anaximander, Pythagoras, Plato and started to change into classical objects to overcome Aristotle. Influenced by Pythagorean thought, Plato the Egyptian influence. Simultaneously, prominent believed the truths of poetry and all sciences were derived Greek architects were also not an aloof group of their from “One” as he believed “all form of art, and soul triumph of philosophy. Architecture was thoroughly speaks to soul” (Nabi and Alam 2009). Implicitly, Plato grounded in culture and philosophy of their creators, has given a model of a new art form to next posterity representing their regions and time (Miller 1997). As that meticulously observed by Nietzsche at the “Birth of architecture was always guided by religion and without Tragedy” published in 1885 (Lacoue-Labarthe 1993). In philosophy, religion cannot exist (Rahman 2011); and *Corresponding author. Email: [email protected] 83 Ahmed/International Journal of Architecture, Engineering and Construction 5 (2016) 83-97 without architecture, religion cannot flourish. Thus and finally, studies are longitudinal in nature; therefore, rational discourse was introduced and promoted to take grinding down became a problem. architectural decisions in these Monumental temples, The only one option for this study was the literature as architecture is not only the technology but also review, which one was not blinded, and there was attendant to sociopolitical questions and the source of no comparison made between the data collected from their excellence. This study suggests, such rational; different sources. However, these limitations might aesthetic and moral interests can hardly be separated in not prevent me from drawing any definite conclusion Greek architectural thought. What was the uniqueness in regarding this study. It can speculate that the history left the Greek architectural creation? Did the philosophical a little window from where I have to assume my desired advent worked as touchstone behind Greek architecture? derivations with meticulous observation. Was it the philosophy to form a stylistic distinction in their architecture? 4 METHODOLOGY 2 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY This study is emphasized on the synthesis of philosophical texts and architectural languages within the arena Ancient Greek architecture focuses on some specific of Common issues of ancient Greek practice, social design aspects from Greek philosophy. Depending on and cultural aspects which shaped the Greek identity. objectives, the result of philosophical studies can include Besides, as the study is history based, literature review some suggestions that how such sort of design sense was was thus used as the prior tool. The research is based on possible to evolve from stone which is still contextual and two broad approaches: perfect. The main objective of the paper is to highlight the contribution of great thinkers of that era and its 1. To establish a Theoretical framework for analysis reflection over architecture: (based on literature review); 2. Deriving hypothetical results from Empirical basis 1. To explore the pattern of the architectural practice (based on analysis and critics). in ancient Greece according to enlightens of knowledge; The investigation of the particular research consist the 2. To find the possible effect over spatial configuration following steps outlined in Figure1: especially on religious and cultural functions according to their thoughts; 3. To discuss how difficult it is to establish a link between philosophy and architecture in these case studies; 4. To explore a hypothetical concept in a diversified morality. Figure 1. The research design of the study 3 SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY 5 LITERATURE REVIEW 3.1 Scope of the Study 5.1 Sociopolitical Impacts for Architecture The study would present the hypothetical scenario of architectural practice and perseverance in Greek Nowadays, a new third tier is developing, which islands. The effect of spatial configuration according investigates what exactly in Greek culture caused their to philosophical thinking has also been imagined. thinkers to begin rationalized thoughts in prose, along Extensive study can be done based on this study with complex sociopolitical context by questioning why which can eventually guide to generate some thesis of such temples were built and who paid for the architects? interdisciplinary exchange and to indicate the prerequisite It has not been acknowledged and studied as an important of universal knowledge which is really possible. For my factor to trace the origin of ancient Greek philosophy and research, Ground level study was only window to peep also their art. Evidence from the works of Herodotus through. showed that the wealthy and powerful patrons like both Polyaino and Plutarch, financed the building and 3.2 Limitations of the Study designing of the temples in an effort to solidify their eroding prestige. Again, according to Plato, philosophy Although field methods can be extremely useful and thus predominantly means two possessions: To rule wisely archaeology always provides epoch making decisions as (politics) and to think clearly, (metaphysics) which they are conducted in the specific environment, was the shaped the Greek artistic worth also and our concern major limitation to consider regarding this study. Other for this discourse. From the political and socio-cultural limitations include: Lack of reliable resources, Much point of view, we can say; Athens was proud of its longer study periods and therefore requires much goodwill cultural identity and believed them only civilized among 84 Ahmed/International Journal of Architecture, Engineering and Construction 5 (2016) 83-97 barbarians. Thus political achievements were bound to the main difference from any Roman temple, which be the best, which the world had never seen: Democracy. always emphasized front elevation. Unlike Egyptians, slave