claim

active

claim:the-existence-of-living-structure-as-defined-in-the-nature-of-order-requires-modifications-in-our-physical-picture-of-the-world-not-only-in-the-picture-we-have-of-architecture

The existence of living structure, as defined in The Nature of Order, requires modifications in our physical picture of the world, not only in the picture we have of architecture.

The closing claim of the chapter's mid-book appendix, asserting that the theory of centers has implications for physics.

Neighborhood — ranked by edge-count

Hypotheses (1)

hypothesis

The I must be real, and if the physical picture of space and time requires modification to include the I, this modification would be a discovery of the first order.
supports
Alexander's scientific conjecture that his architectural theory implies a true modification of physics, analogous to Maxwell's discovery.

Claims (1)

claim

Life is not a mechanical property but an inherent attribute of space itself, analogous to Maxwell's electromagnetic field creating light.
supports
Proposition 1 of the Mid-Book Appendix; the most fundamental metaphysical claim of the theory.

Related by similarity (8)

cosine ≥ 0.65 · no typed edge

Entities in the same semantic neighborhood but without a typed relation to this one — candidates for new edges or unrecognized duplicates.

The kind of order that occurs in living structure has a complexity not usually describable by drawings or by architectural images.claim0.890
Emphasizes the non-pictorial, process-dependent nature of living order.
Nature always produces living structure because it follows a process of unfolding wholeness; human designers can create non-living structure by violating this process.claim0.871
Core distinction between natural and designed configurations, explaining why properties are ubiquitous in nature but rare in bad design.
The structure we know as living structure is just that kind of structure which has unfolded smoothly and naturally, arising step by step from what exists, preserving the structure of what exists.claim0.869
Defines living structure as the product of a truthful unfolding process that respects and preserves existing wholeness.
The creation of living structure cannot be done in any other way.claim0.869
Living structure might even be defined as 'that which pleases us'—that which truly pleases us.claim0.865
A proposed operational definition of living structure in terms of genuine pleasure.
Living structure is enormously susceptible to minor changes, and accuracy of detail is necessary for success.claim0.852
Warning that the recursion of centers requires extreme precision.
Uniqueness is a necessary aspect of living structure.claim0.851
Strong claim that living structure cannot exist without every part being unique.
In order to create living structure, we must please ourselves.claim0.849
The central thesis of the chapter: pleasing yourself is the necessary and sufficient prescription for creating living structure.