Transitions

A study of the reciprocal duties of hospitality

Mortimer Murphy
12206585

Technische Universität Wien

Institut für Architekturwissenschaften
Fachbereich Architekturtheorie und Technikphilosophie
Wahlseminar 2022S - Architekturtheorie

Univ.-Prof. Dr. phil. Vera Bühlmann

Guest Lecturer Jordi Vivaldi
Abstract

The relationship between guest and host has long intrigued theorists. Its etymology gives us
insight into these inter-reliant terms; one who receives the other, one who is received by the other.
However, these terms are not as simple as they first may appear and present us with a phenomenon
which is not just limited to human society, but one which presents itself repeatedly throughout the
natural world. What does it mean to play these roles, and do we get a choice in doing so? Are these
roles predetermined from a power outside our means, or does it rely entirely on the unique dynamic
between the two respective parties? Can one be both the host and the guest simultaneously, or neither?
The journey we take to embody these roles, or more over, the stages we pass through in order to
transition from one to the other, remain a fascinating experience.

This paper will explore the applications of these terms in the context of American citizens who
claim Irish ancestry. How did the Irish immigrants to the US in the 18 th and 19th century, who were
frowned upon by the established American society for being outsiders, transform their reputation to
become celebrated and integrated citizens of the country, reaching even the highest office of their
democratic political systems? At what point did this critical mass accumulate in order for the Irish
‘guests’ to finally be accepted as ‘hosts’ of the nation. This paper will propose that, in order for the
merits of the guest-host dynamic to be full understood, these terms should refrain from being regarded
as roles, and instead deconstructed to simply be modifiers which we can only see from our own
standpoints.

Keywords

Revision, juncture, critical mass, pivot, Moment,