Aesthetics, pragmatism and an ideal of ecological inhabiting

Abstract

In this article, we are interested in developments in contemporary architectural knowledge concomitant with the context of environmental crisis, highlighting the need to review the fundamentals of architecture, in its purpose of mediating the experience of inhabiting the world. We start from the recognition that ecology consolidates itself as an element of global culture, encouraging such critique. Thus, when conducting this reflection, we initially consider the influence of ecological thinking on recent architectural theory, resulting in a revision of conventional definitions of architecture and nature. Admitting, furthermore, that these ideas find continuity in the realm of practice, we observe, in particular, the importance attributed to the aesthetic dimension of architecture in the search for models coherent with an ecological ideal, understanding that it requires a non-anthropocentric, non-dualistic stance that is not limited to rationalism. We propose, then, that Charles Sanders Peirce's pragmatist philosophy, in the relationship it establishes between pragmatism and aesthetics, is suitable for guiding this outlook on possible architectural ecologies. Next, therefore, we analyse concepts from Peircean philosophy, with an emphasis on the role of aesthetics in relation to the ideals that guide our feelings, actions and thoughts. We then consider the relevance of pragmatism, articulated in the interaction between theory and practice, to reflect on the manifestation of an ecological ideal as a stage of architectural knowledge.