Roger Scruton's Philosophy of Architecture

The leading philosopher of architecture of his time, Roger Scruton spent his life thinking and writing about the aesthetics of the built environment. He published such books as "The Aesthetics of Architecture" and "The Classical Vernacular: Architectural Principles in an Age of Nihilism," along with numerous pieces of popular journalism on the subject. A staunch foe of Modernist architecture, Scruton argued for the superiority of the classical tradition, which he believed to be unparalleled in its capacity to produce beauty and harmony, and to make us feel at home in the world. Controversy exploded in Britain when he was appointed chairman of the UK government's Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, which addressed the poor design of homes and places. A similar controversy has erupted in recent years in America as both President Trump and Congress have promoted classical and traditional design for federal buildings and U.S. courthouses.
On May 19, 2024, National Civic Art Society president Justin Shubow delivered this lecture at Georgetown University surveying Scruton's ideas about architecture as well as how his followers should respond to recent events in America.
The lecture was part of a conference, Roger Scruton: America, presented by The Center for American Culture and Ideas, American Enterprise Institute, Ethics & Public Policy Center, and National Civic Art Society.
About the speaker: Justin Shubow is president of the National Civic Art Society (www.civicart.org), a nonprofit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that promotes the classical and humanistic tradition in public art and architecture. He is former chairman of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, an independent federal agency comprising seven presidential appointees who are the aesthetic guardians of Washington, D.C.