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MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY ARCH 615 Architectural Research I / Fall 2011 2012

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE Burcu Suzan

Commentary on Prediction in theoria: towards an interdisciplinary range of theories related to architecture (David Wang, 2006) If architectural theory is indeed only talk, it suffers from losing something of distinctiveness it used to have. Certainly it loses clarity, if all it can lay claim to is talk. This desperate inquiry of Wang, which actually addresses my everyday concern from the first day of my doctorate study, questions the need for grounding the theories related to architecture on something more than talk; in Wangs words, something more than polemical utterances than more quantitative facts such as the concrete scientific results in engineering disciplines or more qualitative facts such as thick descriptions in social sciences. As a matter of fact, human experience, forming the predictive knowledge, seems to fill the gaps of this inquiry, but is it satisfactory? At this point, it may be a little bit hard for me to claim that it is; however the route that the author follows by looking for the roots of the word theory on the Classical Greek word theoria is really challenging due to its inclusive approach embodying a wide range of theories from qualitative and quantitative to the prediction and fiction based ones. Here, authors stress on dwelling architectural theory on theoria such as: In a word, it can be said that we inherited from the Greeks a much more flexible notion of theoria, one can accommodate theories arising from both arts and sciences takes its basis from the ancient word theoroi and denotes a search for a common understanding of things in other words a search for universal truths. This makes more sense at the point that he explores that this seek is not for a localized but for a trans-local understanding where this trans-locality seems to be represented in theorois coming together from different regions to share ideas and find a middle ground. Herein I must state that the analogy made by the author between the ethnographers and the theorois is very attractive. The notion of prediction as the common denominator within the body of theoria, reigning over the text, is handled by the author on a spectrum firstly in two poles: strict prediction referred to deal with controlled experiments yielding experimental quantitative measures whereas thick prediction referred to deal with deep qualitative interpretation of a particular case on the same behavior across multiple cases. Here we should definitely refer to Figure.1 (p.265) which sets out the predictive nature of theories via a spectrum from strict prediction to thick prediction since it is quite successful in exploring the idea aimed to be imbued in this polarization with the relevant examples given for a better understanding. For instance, the elaboration of the strict prediction pole under different facets based on a reasonable factors such as strictly predictable or in projection, determined by the degree of statistically insignificance of the variations within predicted outcomes thus the term certainty or correlation determined by the degree of statistically significant behaviors between two or more variables or normative practice determined by practices proven to be tried and true where a comparison between the theories of strict prediction and normative theories have been executed over the term generalizability with respect to the locations. Here, the following words of Wang may be embraced as a nice extract of the handling of this issue: spatial and temporal scope play less and less a role in external validity for objects of prediction and human affirmation more and more, as we move from left to right on the spectrum (p.266). These words enable an easier reading of the notion of generalizability thus diversified facets on that axis between strict prediction and thick prediction. The elaboration of these facets continues with pattern, based on inductive decision making benefiting from empathic theories, qualitative categories suggesting a broader range of applicable categories, thick description straddling or intermixing empirical and non-empirical objects of prediction and narrative satisfaction arranging historical data such that both external verifiability and internal logic are coherent and achieving empathetic believability. As it is visible, from the pattern facet, the degree of empathy becomes the main factor determining the facets in the axis, replacing the main factor of the degree of insignificance of variations in the former ones. It is possible to see this in Wangs words: As theories move left to right on the spectrum, knowledge of an empathetic nature starts to admix with knowledge of strictly predictive kind. And as we move even further to right, empathy eventually replaces strict prediction altogether (p.267).

25.10.2011 Week 5

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MIDDLE EAST TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY ARCH 615 Architectural Research I / Fall 2011 2012

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE Burcu Suzan

Commentary on Prediction in theoria: towards an interdisciplinary range of theories related to architecture (David Wang, 2006) In a word, all being included and accommodated within the scope of theoria, the main concern at the beginning of the text; with respect to the facets in the spectrum, the physical objects of prediction across time and space is regarded to be less and less whereas objects of subjective human affirmation and emphatic identity is regarded to become more and more, from left to right. This flow of the spectrum is comprehensible however it makes the reader feel that there may be other facets not determined or defined yet. Nevertheless it is currently not easy for a reader to set forth other facets since it entails huge effort and experience to make these distinctions. Besides the spectrum already gives a blurry and a confusing perception with those illustrations given above that it is already hard for the reader to question these facets but it is a fact that some of the given examples are not detailed enough to make further comments and draw borders. Therefore sharp margins cannot and also should not be drawn between these facets considering the effect of human affirmation and relativity which are in my opinion more important than anything defining these facets but more illustrations would be useful. The elaboration of the notion of prediction within the body of theoria continues on the same spectrum going beyond the thick description with less predictive and more empathic two more poles: polemics and fiction. Here the scope of validity for theories beginning from thick description and moving right is not a domain of subjective audience empathy but more of a concern for how these theories may be enough and valid for the audiences not necessarily with measuring instruments. Polemical theories facet which are regarded to frame an ideal by means of a slogan or epithet, capturing the spirit of a cultural period are more illustrated with architectural history full of polemical slogans. This is captured by one of the main reasons that architectural theory is perceived as a mere talk phenomenon since these slogans may be embraced without questioning by masses as the only way of forming an architectural theory. Another facet, representation appears to be closer to the fictional pole producing predictive value. To illustrate, some novels are given as the representation of an era and a way of life belonging that period. After all, the way that the author serves the structure of the text is quite pleasing and comprehensive since not only the basis of his standpoint with respect to this issue is extensively given, but also the way that the spectrum of prediction is outlined and how the spectrum of prediction amounts to better solutions than other attempts is frankly set forth. Besides the brief summary of this structure in the introduction part is pretty straightforward. Nonetheless one may have a problem with understanding the diagrams since the lines, particularly the crossing chevrons, make it more complex and inexplicable. Likewise the literary language of the authors is full of unfamiliar terms to the reader which makes it hard to concentrate on reading. Considering that this is such an intensive text, apart from questioning what is put forward, even internalizing what is written becomes hard in this sense. Every single paragraph has something to offer and discuss on however the reader may feel the necessity to have a background or information on the issues referenced since it becomes hard to follow the text after a certain point. Notwithstanding, the text seems to reach its goal defined as expanding the nature of prediction beyond its residence within Cartesian worldview within Cartesian worldview with the introduction of such a comprehensive spectrum of prediction. All in all, in a text tracing the footsteps of interdisciplinary range of theories related to architecture; making the conclusion with Vitruvius words laying emphasis on the interdisciplinary nature of architecture is wise and binding: Let an architect be educated, skillful with the pencil, instructed in geometry, know much history, have followed the philosophers with attention, understand music, have some knowledge of medicine, know the opinions of the jurists, and be acquainted with astronomy and the theory of heavens (p.272).

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