
“Form follows function” is a quote by the architect Louis Sullivan who said that buildings and other objects, which we might perceive as not beautiful, should have a shape that primarily relates to their intended function or purpose. The phrase is used extensively by architects, designers, and engineers to guide and rationalize their insight and work.
Others suggest that function follows form. But Sullivan said it first, so that’s the memorable quote, the mantra. When we ask Google or Bing to search for “function follows form” both return form follows function as the first result. Both respect authority.
What about health? What about sickness? Does form follow function, or does function follow form? In The New Theory of Cure, healthiness is present when our attributes and processes are in harmony, illness is found where an attribute or a process has gone astray.
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