Utilitarianism, reform, and architecture - Edinburgh as exemplar
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2009Author
Qing, Feng
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Abstract
Although the utilitarian character of modern architecture has been widely recognized, the
relationship between Utilitarianism and architectural practice has not been adequately
discussed. This thesis intends to contribute to this area with a historical study of the
interaction of Utilitarianism and architectural practice in the social reforms of 18th and 19th
century Britain. Edinburgh is used as an example to illuminate this historical process in more
detail.
From three angles: prison, poor relief and elementary education, this thesis discusses
how Utilitarians influenced the reform process and how architecture was used as significant
instruments to promote the reform schemes designed by Bentham and his followers.
In prison reform, Bentham created the architectural model of the Panopticon to build a
new punishment system based on disciplined prisons which could harmoniously align
individual interest and public interest. He later introduced the same ideology and the
Panopticon model into poor relief reform. Through the works of his followers, especially
Edwin Chadwick, these Utilitarian ideas largely shaped the new poor relief system in Britain.
Similar steps were later followed in elementary education reform. Together with the
establishment of the national systems of poor relief and elementary education, a large
volume of institutional buildings such as workhouses and board schools came into being, and
many of them are still affecting our modern life.
Based on these examples, this thesis ends with a theoretical discussion of the inadequacy
of Utilitarianism as a complete ethical theory. Contrary to the optimism of Bentham and his
19th century followers, Utilitarianism is insufficient to be a practical guidance for everyday
life. This inadequacy determines that Utilitarianism cannot provide a firm ethical foundation
for architecture.