Room

In metaphysics, a “room” is not merely a physical space but a rich, complex concept that symbolizes our inner world, consciousness, memories, and the very structure of our existence. It is a vessel for our being, shaped by our lived experience, emotions, and imagination, and is a central topic in phenomenology, a branch of metaphysics. 

The room as a microcosm of the psyche

A reflection of inner states: Every room can hold metaphysical meaning far beyond its physical function. For example, the bedroom often symbolizes the private, inner self, a place for intimacy and introspection, while the living room represents the public persona. The kitchen can symbolize a space of creative transformation, turning raw material into something new.

The house as the initial universe: In his book The Poetics of Space, philosopher Gaston Bachelard argues that the house is our “corner of the world” and the first universe we experience. Each room serves as a distinct space for memories and dreams, with the attic representing clarity and rationality and the cellar symbolizing darkness and the unconscious.

A stage for memories: Bachelard calls his approach to this topic “topoanalysis,” the systematic psychological study of the spaces of our intimate lives. He contends that space, rather than time, is the primary container of memory. For instance, the image of a certain room can instantly evoke a memory or daydream associated with it. 

Being in a room versus being in a world

For 20th-century philosophers Martin Heidegger and Maurice Merleau-Ponty, the idea of being in a room is not like a physical object simply being located in a box. 

Heidegger’s Being-in-the-world: Heidegger’s core concept, Dasein, or “being-there,” argues that human existence is defined by its embeddedness in a world. The hyphen in “being-in-the-world” indicates that these are not separate phenomena. To be “in” a world is not a matter of spatial containment but of dwelling and familiarity (In-sein comes from innan, “to dwell”). We are always already interacting with our world, and a room is one of the places where this dwelling and practical engagement occurs.

Merleau-Ponty’s lived space: Following in Heidegger’s footsteps, Merleau-Ponty developed a philosophy of the “lived body” in his Phenomenology of Perception. He argues that we do not perceive the world from a detached, intellectual viewpoint but rather inhabit it through our bodies. A room is thus an extension of our lived experience, where our movements, habits, and perceptions shape our personal space. 

The creative potential of the empty room

An empty room can also hold significant metaphysical meaning, often symbolizing a blank slate or a space for new possibilities. 

The imaginative space: Some philosophies propose that an empty room allows for introspection, freeing one from distraction to focus on one’s internal state. It can also represent the imaginative setting for creativity, where new ideas have room to develop.

Reflecting on existence: For artists like Piero Fornasetti, a “metaphysical room” is an imaginary setting for meditation, with geometric elements and empty space encouraging reflection and contemplation. This kind of room transforms a physical space into a fictitious one, inhabited only by the mind for intimate intellectual activity

In Christianity, a room is a metaphor for the human heart. This symbolizes the personal and intimate space within each individual. It represents where God chooses to dwell and connect with people on a deeply personal level. The room signifies a sanctuary within, fostering a relationship between the divine and the individual. Meaning of A room in Christianity