Ethics of Architecture or Ethical Architecture?

Abstract

This paper examines the nature of the relationship between ethics and architecture. This complicated state of affairs—in professional practice and architectural design—is evaluated based on a bibliographical review of the visions of some Arab and Western thinkers. This review passes through the analysis of three intellectual movements: modernism, postmodernism, and the new brutalism. A series of questions arises: How is it determined whether any of these principles are moral or immoral? Does a specific principle override other beliefs? Who decides that any building is ethical or unethical? This article shows that some conclusions can be drawn from human values to act as a guide for creating a superior design but not for a “stately” design. Critically, it emerges that there is no so-called ethical architecture, but rather, ethics is always related to professional practice. This means that the construction of a building is governed by ideas and design criteria while professional practice is guided by ethical /moral principles.