The notion of ἰδέα in Vitruvius’s dispositio and the philosophical legacy of Cicero: aesthetics and creative process
Abstract
The article examines the philosophical background of Vitruvius’ architectural theory, focusing on the Greek term ἰδέα which he included in his definition of the dispositio and its interrelation with the Latin principles of compositio, forma, species, inventio, cogitatio, figura and imago, among others. These principles are analyzed in the conceptual framework of Cicero’s theory, considering the philosophical implications derived from his interpretation of Plato’s and Aristotle’s doctrine, and its application to the aesthetic dimension in the creation of the discourse’s forma. From this philosophical perspective, attention is set on the interpretation of this knowledge in the creative process of the forma and architectural space of Vitruvius. The concept of ἰδέα allows us to reflect on the meaning of the Greek and Latin terms that Vitruvius articulated in De architectura based on the Platonic-Aristotelian-Ciceronian vocabulary to define the design process.
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