Theory is defined as a set of principle based on which some activity is based. Theory can be normative or prescriptive. They can account for the action and enable the person to look beyond the regular conformities of society. In some cases theory can be used as a tool to explain many claims and help look beyond the obvious. Theory is a tool that can be used to extract details and decipher a situation. They are used in every aspect of human endeavor . This is also used in the field of architecture to look beyond the obvious physical structure and layering of the building. This notion of theory can be used to understand the concepts behind spatial arrangement of buildings and its hidden connotations . This aspect of why there is a need for theory is probed in this analysis. For this the works of Derrida and Eisenman are used to divulge more details along with other analysis. Reflective analysis for the concepts of theory is also probed in the analysis below.

1. Why Theory?
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2. Why Theory?
Introduction:
Theory is defined as a set of principle based on which some activity is based. Theory can
be normative or prescriptive. They can account for the action and enable the person to
look beyond the regular conformities of society. In some cases theory can be used as a
tool to explain many claims and help look beyond the obvious. Theory is a tool that can
be used to extract details and decipher a situation. They are used in every aspect of
human endeavor1
. This is also used in the field of architecture to look beyond the obvious
physical structure and layering of the building. This notion of theory can be used to
understand the concepts behind spatial arrangement of buildings and its hidden
connotations2
. This aspect of why there is a need for theory is probed in this analysis. For
this the works of Derrida and Eisenman are used to divulge more details along with other
analysis. Reflective analysis for the concepts of theory is also probed in the analysis
below.
Theory and its underlying implications
In societies people tend to adapt to reductionism or scientism. Reductionism means
certain aspects of society tend to reduce various theoretical underpinnings into two or
three elements. There are a number of nuances involved for a situation or event but
reductionism rejects those notions3
. They try to produce simplified version of the events.
There are variety of methods and practices that people use to combine with concepts of
1 McMillan, David W., and David M. Chavis. "Sense of community: A definition and theory." Journal of community
psychology 14, no. 1 (1986): 6-23.
2 ibid
3 Leiter, Brian. "Objectivity, morality and adjudication." (2001).

3. reductionism. Scientism is defined as looking at aspects that are related to the notions of
science. They try to look at the scientific implications for each of the concepts. In this
science is given precedence to look at the events surrounding each of the factors4
.
Reductionism and scientism tends to make things impersonal. They try to look at factors
from an impersonal viewpoint5
. According to Midgley this notion does not hold value in
real life. They compare the notions of theory to the concept of plumbing. In plumbing
people tend to look at the nuances of plumbing set up only when there is issue6
. If there is
plumbing issues people look at the physical set up of the plumbing device tries to
decipher what is wrong with the set. Subsequently they try to find what is wrong and
rectify it7
. Similar to these postulations, people tend to look at theory. In society there is
not much emphasis given to the notions of theory. People start to look for the issues in
the theoretical underpinning only when there is chaos in the society. There is theoretical
underpinnings and philosophy of thought that is omnipresent in every one of the activities
undertaken by people. This is reflected in the actions, mannerisms of people and also in
the behavior.
Causes of an event
Derrida defines the factors involved in the central definition of event. It is a procedure
characterized with impossible option. This is convoluted the event that actually happens
in a society cannot be planned or forecasts. There are a number of changes that actually
happens when an event actually occurs8
. This is a paradoxical viewpoint. There is
4 ibid
5 ibid
6 Midgley, Mary. "Philosophical plumbing." Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement 33 (1992): 139-151.
7 ibid
8 Derrida, Jacques. "A certain impossible possibility of saying the event."Critical Inquiry 33, no. 2 (2007): 441-461.

4. impossibility involved in predicting outcomes that are exact. There are a number of issues
and factors that deviates from the original planning of an event. Event cannot be
predicted. Event has a number of undertones embedded in it. The notions of theory
influence it. Theory causes certain events to occur however event in itself cannot be
controlled by theoretical underpinnings. But every action that occurs in society is a
reflection of ideologies of the people. Hence in order to look into the consequence of
actions there is a need to look into the underlying theoretical principles behind the event.
In the case of spatial arrangement of buildings every creation that is produced in the
spatial arrangement of buildings is a reflection of the events that are surrounding it.
Derrida Philosophy is that people in western societies tend to shift towards Marxism9
.
There are a number of collectivistic socialist notions that are embedded in many
ideologies of the west. This is reflected in the architecture of the buildings. The scientific
notions and technology conform society esp. in construction of architecture. There is a lot
of importance given to the aspects of technology and the scientific underpinnings. People
tend to overlook the notions of philosophy and theory behind the architecture of the
buildings10
. There is a need to understand about the principles of deconstruction.
Deconstructivism and Phenomology
Deconstructivism is defined as the relationship between the spatial arrangement of
buildings and underlying theoretical implications. A number of nuances are involved in
the constructions and pattern of the buildings. Derrida encourages the people to
deconstruct the notions in societal events. In the field of architecture in the years 1980
9 Coyne, Richard. Derrida for architects. Vol. 7. Routledge, 2011.
10 ibid

5. there was a post modernist approaches undertaken in order to understand the ideologies
of the architect 11
. It involved deliberate careful planning in developing the final
outcomes. The visual aesthetics of the building and the significance of each of the
architectural piece is a significance of the architect ideology and societal conformities. It
is a concept of controlled chaos that is reflected in the spatial arrangement.
Phenomonology is the study of structure of events. They try to look into the theoretical
underpinning of a construction from a first person point of view. Central theme of
phenomology is looking at the central intention behind an event12
. They’re a number of
nuances involved in these concepts. It articulates that a person beliefs and ideology are
seen in the events that are occurring. Even though events and outcomes cannot be
predicted the intentions behind the events can be expressed in the notions of
phenomology. From this notion it can be understood that phenomology has a number of
undertones that are amalgamated13
. It essentially coalesces intentions of the creator and
also reflects the views of the societies. There is a paradoxical relationship that exists
between the concepts of society, intention behind the creator and the actual event that
occurs14
. These notions essentially create theoretical underpinning behind the events.
This notion greatly influences the notions of architecture. In order to further probe into
the nuances of Central Holocaust memorial in Berlin has been probed. the elements,
spatial arrangement, societies and the central theme of the architect are deconstructed in
this approach.
Murdered Jews of Europe
11 ibid
12 Dastur, Françoise. "Phenomenology of the event: Waiting and surprise."Hypatia 15, no. 4 (2000): 178-189.
13 ibid
14 ibid

6. Helmet Kohl started his first term as officer in the year 1982 in Germany. There was a
strong left ideology that existed in the nations. There was a lot of hegemony that existed
in the process. This was further bolstered by the fact that socialist party previous actions
had deeply impacted the society15
. Kohl endeavored in a number of attempts in order to
rebuild some of the central notions of the society in Germany. It was also to rebuild
Germany and move towards a central path between socialism and left liberal ideologies.
One of these initiatives was the construction of the Holocaust memorial in East Berlin
wall in order to express regret about the events that occurred to the Jews during the era.
This memorial is also termed as the “ Murdered Jews of Europe”16
. On deconstructing the
ideologies behind Berlin wall it can be found that there are a lot of elements that denote
sadness over the murdering of the Jews in Europe. It is a reflection of how intolerance
and marginalizing people can lead to such ramifications. Central postulate theory of this
refers to the fact that owing to intolerant ideology genocide had occurred in the societies.
This memorial also serves as a warning to the people to not indulge against
marginalization of certain factions in a society. Construction of this monument serves as
a warning to the people more than it being a denotation of the events17
. This building also
reiterates some of fundamental human values of morality and empathy. This spatial
15 Knischewski, Gerd, and Ulla Spittler. "Remembering in the Berlin Republic: The debate about the central Holocaust memorial in
Berlin." Debatte: Journal of Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe 13, no. 1 (2005): 25-42.
16 ibid
17 Dekel, Irit. "Ways of looking: Observation and transformation at the Holocaust Memorial, Berlin." Memory Studies 2, no. 1 (2009):
71-86.

7. arrangement is to explain to the people the importance of conducting themselves in the
veracious honorable and decent path.
Central Holocaust memorial in Berlin is a place where there is a memorial built for the
holocaust victims. There were a number of Jews who were murdered by the anarchist
Nazi Government in Germany. This memorial is a significance of the events that had
taken place and represents the untold travesties encountered by the Jews during that time.
There are a lot of issues that is portrayed and essayed in the building. Holocaust
memorial in Berlin represents only certain victims. Some of the holocaust survivors have
been overlooked. The Agents for Sinti and Roma put this accusation forward they feel
that the central theme of the building overlooks the central notions behind Holocaust18
.
They explain that the theoretical underpinnings exclude many factions of the holocaust
survivors.
Interesting dynamics exist between theory and practical issues. The Murdered Jews of
Europe presents a warning to the society to highlight the issue that would arise from arise
from marginalizing people19
. There are a number of undertones in the spatial arrangement
to explain about the issues. Hence the importance of theory is manifested in the
architecture of the building.
Essence of theory and its manifestations in architecture
Art and architecture have a lot of relation to each other. Art essentially tries to create
personifications that are only based on theory and are not conformed by social and
18 ibid
19 Marcuse, Peter. "Reflections on Berlin: The meaning of construction and the construction of meaning." International Journal of
Urban and Regional Research 22, no. 2 (1998): 331-338.

8. economic pressures by the society. Architecture is also an extension of ideologies that
allows the people to look beyond the societal conformities. Key difference between Art
and Architecture is that architecture has a purposefulness that is embedded into it.
Architecture serves a multitude of functions and provides people with basic facilities. Art
in its conventional definition is considered to have only theme that is has no pragmatic
applications20
. Architecture operates on a number of key themes and ideologies. It is not
limited to any one factor it can be used for thematic interpretations and also have a
purposefulness that is associated with it. Architecture and spatial arrangement of a
building is nothing but a thematic representation of the arts in society, beliefs of society
and also about the conformities of the society.
Need for theory.
Conclusion
To conclude, theory is defined, as the set of believes that is held by people in the society.
Events cannot be predicted. It is impossible to predict the actual outcome of any event. It
is based on numerous factors and issues. It cannot be derived based on any one factor.
Nevertheless theory enables the people to look into the causative factor of the events.
There is a number of theoretical underpinning that defines architecture. The Murdered
Jews of Europe memorial was built in Berlin in order to denote the ramifications such as
genocide could happen in society by marginalizing. Theory enables the people to divulge
in more details about the art that is involved. Architecture is one medium that gives a lot
of emphasis to the theme apart from serving purposeful actions. Hence theory and
societal beliefs exists in the society either blatantly or it is hidden. Nevertheless they do
exist. It is imperative to analyze the theory before it manifests itself in other incorrigible
20 ibid

9. notions. Theory like plumbing should not be considered only when issues arise in the
societies rather it should be analyzed and changed for creation of a better society.

10. Reference:
Coyne, Richard. Derrida for architects. Vol. 7. Routledge, 2011.
Dastur, Françoise. "Phenomenology of the event: Waiting and surprise."Hypatia 15, no. 4
(2000): 178-189.
Dekel, Irit. "Ways of looking: Observation and transformation at the Holocaust
Memorial, Berlin." Memory Studies 2, no. 1 (2009): 71-86.
Derrida, Jacques. "A certain impossible possibility of saying the event."Critical
Inquiry 33, no. 2 (2007): 441-461.
Knischewski, Gerd, and Ulla Spittler. "Remembering in the Berlin Republic: The debate
about the central Holocaust memorial in Berlin." Debatte: Journal of
Contemporary Central and Eastern Europe 13, no. 1 (2005): 25-42.
Leiter, Brian. "Objectivity, morality and adjudication." (2001).
Marcuse, Peter. "Reflections on Berlin: The meaning of construction and the construction
of meaning." International Journal of Urban and Regional Research 22, no. 2
(1998): 331-338.
McMillan, David W., and David M. Chavis. "Sense of community: A definition and
theory." Journal of community psychology 14, no. 1 (1986): 6-23.
Midgley, Mary. "Philosophical plumbing." Royal Institute of Philosophy Supplement 33
(1992): 139-151.