The Relationship Between Philosophy and Architecture in Vitruvius’ De Architectura

Abstract

Vitruvius, as an architect who lived in Rome in the 1st century BCE, has played a
crucial role in the history of architecture with his work De Architectura Libri Decem
(Ten Books on Architecture). His work not only encompasses theoretical and practical
information about architecture but also serves as a fundamental source for classical
archaeology in terms of terminology and buildings. In his first book, Vitruvius addresses
topics that appear noteworthy from the perspective of the history of philosophy. He
includes philosophy when discussing the education an architect should have. While the
reasons and purposes of this situation are briefly explained in the relevant section, a more
detailed analysis can be undertaken by examining the political and social structure of his
time and the philosophical trends that influenced the era. The juxtaposition of architecture
and philosophy not only highlights the necessity of philosophy for an architect but also
reflects the philosophical outlook of that era. In this comparative study, it is discussed
how Vitruvius associated philosophy with architecture and, why philosophy should be
among the education an architect should have. The intellectual sources of Vitruvius are
also sought to be revealed. Additionally, the relationship between philosophy and other
fields is touched upon, highlighting the encompassing role of philosophy in various
sciences.