Thick vs. Thin Selfhood

Framing

This debate concerns how architecture understands the human subject. Abell argues for "thick" (psychoanalytic) view of selfhood against "thin" view of standard architectural history. The thick view recognizes unconscious influences on architectural experience.

Positions

Position A: Thick Selfhood (Psychoanalytic)

Abell argues social and technological histories of architecture overlook the human psyche. Psychoanalysis provides "thick" view of selfhood that recognizes unconscious wishes, traumas, and developmental phases shaping architectural experience.
Key texts: abell-freud-for-architects

Position B: Thin Selfhood (Standard History)

Standard architectural history treats subjects as rational agents with transparent preferences. This "thin" view ignores unconscious dimensions of experience and reduces architecture to conscious choice.
Key texts: abell-freud-for-architects

Key Texts

• abell-freud-for-architects — Abell's thick vs. thin analysis