Architectural Works as Agents of Discrimination; ISPA 2014 Conference, TU Delft, NL
Transcript of Architectural Works as Agents of Discrimination; ISPA 2014 Conference, TU Delft, NL
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Architectural Works as Agents of Discrimination
Rick Fox, Architect ISPA 2014 TU Delft, NL
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An argument against things as moral agents
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An argument against P1. Moral agents have the following characteristics…{F1,
F2, F3, Fn} P2. Inanimate objects [lacking a mental repertoire] lack
all these characteristics. C1. Inanimate objects cannot be moral agents.
P3. A work of architecture is an object lacking a mental repertoire.
C2. Works of architecture cannot be moral agents.
QED
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Architecture as a “proxy” moral agent
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An argument in favor 1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact,
made clear by an emphasis on human variation. 2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of
disability, no less that social and cultural attitudes. 3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be
under the ‘veil of ignorance.’ 4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people
(the “disabled”) without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust. 5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages,
including those with a moral theme. 6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of
injustice. 7. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself
unjust. 8. Thus, a work of architecture can be construed as an autonomous
moral agent.QED
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A few thoughts on disability & justice
Terms
Impairment Disability
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A few thoughts on disability & justice
The Medical Model
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A few thoughts on disability & justice
The Social Model
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A few thoughts on disability & justice
The ICF bio-psycho-social Model
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1. Architectural barriers have a universal exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.
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1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation. Impairment is a
universal human experience
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1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.
All humans experience change in: bodily function & structure levels of personal capacity levels of personal
performance
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1. Architectural barriers have a universally exclusionary impact, made clear by an emphasis on human variation.
Architectural barriers
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2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes.
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2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes. The disablement
process
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2. The built environment plays a substantial role in the creation of disability, no less than social and cultural attitudes.
Participation in life-situations
ICF Awareness
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3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’
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3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’ Justice as fairness
Contemplation of Justice, 1935 James Earle Fraser Washington, DC
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3. With regards to social justice…impairment & disability would be under the ‘veil of ignorance.’
A ‘veil of ignorance’
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4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust.
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4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust. Principle of
DifferenceSocial and economic
inequalities are justified only if they benefit the least advantaged members.
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4. Exclusionary impacts that single out a specific sub-set of people without accruing to the benefit of all are unjust.
A virtuous “rising
tide…”
“Stramp” The Law Courts, 1973 Arthur Erickson Vancouver, BC, Canada
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme. Denotation
word→world directed
US Supreme Court, 1935 Cass Gilbert Washington, DC
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme. Denotation
word→world directed
Sydney Opera House, 1957-1973 Jorn Utzon Sydney, NSW, Australia UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2007
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.
Exemplificationworld→word directed
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.
Exemplification world→word directed
Schroeder House, 1924 Gerrit Rietveld Utrecht, Netherlands UNESCO World Heritage Site, 2000
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5. A work of architecture has the capacity to convey messages, including those with a moral theme.
Exemplification world→word directed
Frank Residence ( House VI), 1975 Peter Eisenman Cornwall, CT Interior view
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6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of injustice.
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6. Exclusion is unjust; a message of exclusion is a message of injustice. Signs etched in stone
US Supreme Court, 1935 Cass Gilbert Washington, DC
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7. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself unjust.
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7. A work that conveys messages of it own injustice, is itself unjust. Another short
argument P1. A work that conveys
messages about itself, is the architectural equivalent of moral advocacy.
P2. Architecture that “advocates” exclusion is morally flawed & unjust.
C. A work that conveys messages of its own injustice, is itself unjust.
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8. Conclusion
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8. Conclusion Thus, a work of architecture can be construed
as an autonomous moral agent.
QED
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Thank You.