City and Philosophy

Abstract

In this interview, Thierry Paquot presents a philosophical interpretation of the city, arguing that urban phenomena cannot be adequately understood through a single academic discipline. He advocates a transdisciplinary approach that combines philosophy, geography, sociology, anthropology, architecture, and urban planning to explore the complexity of urban life. Drawing on the works of Martin Heidegger and Gaston Bachelard, Paquot conceptualizes dwelling as an existential experience shaped by the body, the senses, temporality, and social relationships. He criticizes productivist urbanism, which prioritizes economic efficiency over human well-being, and proposes an existential ecology based on hospitality, alterity, urbanity, and environmental responsibility. The interview also examines anonymity, public space, democracy, and citizenship, emphasizing how globalization and digital technologies have transformed urban experience. Ultimately, the philosophy of the city is presented as a critical framework for rethinking contemporary modes of dwelling, coexistence, and the relationship between human beings and the urban environment.