Measuring of the Absolute Identity of Architectural Objects: An Ontological and Epistemological Analysis

This article aims to analyze the concept of architectural identity as a mental phenomenon, targeting both audiences and architects. It addresses the implications of architectural identity and explores the type of definition necessary for architectural purposes in three main sections. The first section examines the concept of identity across three meta-architectural fields: philosophy, psychology, and sociology, which extensively utilize this concept. The study reveals a general discrepancy in definitions within these fields when applied to architectural contexts. In the second section, to arrive at a suitable definition for architectural purposes, a systematic classification of definitions is conducted, followed by a logical analysis aimed at achieving the primary research goal. The third part of the article presents the ontological and epistemological characteristics of absolute architectural identity from an essentialist perspective, employing analytical methods and logical reasoning. The findings suggest that architectural identity is inherently "exploratory" within the essentialist paradigm, with innovation and inventiveness potentially diminishing architectural identity. Furthermore, the deliberate "reduction" of architectural identity to the "unity of mental expectation and physical perception," despite not encompassing all aspects of place identity, enhances efficiency in architectural studies and design