Bröchner, J (2009) Construction metaphors in Aristotle: Knowledge, purpose, process. Construction Management and Economics, 27(5), pp. 515-523. ISSN 1466433X
Abstract
Writers on construction management have begun showing an interest in Aristotle's views on ethics, leadership, metaphysics and change, although overlooking that he frequently resorted to construction metaphors. This investigation shows that 16 of his writings contain about 140 construction metaphors and about 370 occurrences of construction terms. Metaphysics, Nicomachean Ethics and Physics provide more than half of these metaphors. For Aristotle, the process of house building is both knowledge driven and purpose driven: the building is to be a shelter against the elements, and the builder has to consider this ultimate goal for every step of production when choosing tools and materials. Builders learn the art of building by building; when they enjoy their work, they will go on improving. Building users can judge whether a building is good or bad, not builders. That Aristotle's metaphysics are object oriented and that practical wisdom is prominent in his ethics appear as irrelevant to construction, which was the typical example of managed production in his time.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | ancient construction; construction management; construction process; ethics; learning |
| Index terms: | ethics, builder, ancient construction, construction process, Aristotle, investigation |
| Subjects: | data collection methods, ethical practice, philosopher, construction type, building construction, practitioner |
| Topics: | Roles and Professions, Construction Technology, Site Management, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PTA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here