Chapter 1 Human Geography Nature and Scope

Introduction

Geography is a field of study that is integrative, combining knowledge from various disciplines; empirical, relying on observation and experience; and practical, with real-world applications. Its broad scope allows for the geographical study of phenomena and events that differ across space and time.

Earth's Components and Geography's Focus

The Earth's surface is fundamentally composed of two major elements: nature, which encompasses the physical environment, and life forms, including human beings. While physical geography specifically investigates the natural environment (like landforms, climate, water bodies), human geography delves into the intricate relationship between this physical environment and the human world.

Human geography explores the spatial patterns of human activities and features on the Earth's surface and seeks to understand how and why these patterns arise. It also examines the variations in social and economic conditions found in different parts of the world.

At its core, geography aims to understand the Earth as a living space for humans and to study all elements that are essential for human sustenance. This underscores the importance of studying both nature and human beings in relation to each other.

Dualisms and Holism in Geography

The field of geography has historically been marked by intellectual debates that have led to certain dualisms:

• The debate between whether geography should aim to formulate general laws or theories (nomothetic approach) or focus on the detailed description of unique places (idiographic approach).
• The discussion on whether geographical study should be organized thematically across space (systematic geography) or focus on understanding specific areas comprehensively (regional geography).
• The question of interpreting geographical phenomena through theoretical frameworks versus historical-institutional contexts.

However, these dichotomies are increasingly seen as less valid because nature and human beings are fundamentally interconnected and inseparable. A more accurate and insightful approach is to view them holistically, as interacting parts of a single system.

Metaphors in Geography

The close relationship between humans and nature is even reflected in the language used in geography. Both physical and human phenomena are often described using metaphors derived from human anatomy:

• Referring to physical features such as the 'face' of the earth, the 'eye' of a storm, the 'mouth' of a river, the 'snout' of a glacier, the 'neck' of an isthmus, or the 'profile' of soil.
• Describing human constructs like regions, villages, or towns as 'organisms', or viewing road, railway, and waterway networks as "arteries of circulation".

This common linguistic practice highlights the challenge of separating nature and humans when they are so deeply intertwined in our understanding and description of the world.

Human Geography Defined

Prominent geographers have offered definitions that capture the essence of human geography:

• According to Ratzel, "Human geography is the synthetic study of relationship between human societies and earth’s surface." This definition stresses the integration of human and environmental aspects.
• Ellen C. Semple defined it as "the study of the changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth." Her definition emphasizes the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of the human-environment connection.
• Paul Vidal de la Blache viewed it as a "Conception resulting from a more synthetic knowledge of the physical laws governing our earth and of the relations between the living beings which inhabit it." This highlights a deeper understanding derived from the interrelationships between Earth's physical processes and the life forms, particularly humans, that inhabit it.

Collectively, these definitions point to human geography as a field concerned with the intricate and dynamic interrelationships between human populations and the natural environment that forms their home.

Nature Of Human Geography

Human geography's nature lies in understanding the interplay between the physical environment (landforms, climate, water, vegetation, etc.) and the socio-cultural environment that humans construct through their interactions with nature. Using the resources provided by the physical setting, humans build cultural elements like homes, villages, cities, infrastructure networks, industries, and farms, which together form the distinct cultural landscape.

This interaction is a two-way street: human activities significantly modify the physical environment, and these environmental changes, in turn, influence human lives and societies.

Human-Nature Interaction and Technology

The primary means through which humans interact with their physical environment is technology. Technology represents the level of cultural development of a society and reflects how well humans understand natural laws. For instance, comprehending friction and heat enabled the discovery of fire, while understanding aerodynamics facilitates the development of aircraft.

Knowledge of nature is crucial for developing technology, and technology provides humans with capabilities to overcome or adapt to environmental constraints. However, the extent to which humans are influenced by nature varies depending on their technological level and societal development.

Environmental Determinism

In earlier, more primitive stages of human society with low technological development, humans were heavily dependent on and strongly influenced by the natural environment. Their lives and activities were largely dictated by nature's conditions and limits. This perspective, where nature is seen as controlling human actions and development, is called Environmental Determinism.

In such a stage, humans were "naturalised" – deeply connected to and shaped by their environment. They respected nature, were fearful of its power, and often revered it as "Mother Nature." This relationship was characterised by a direct dependence on nature for sustenance.

The example of Benda living in the wilds and his tribe's practices illustrates environmental determinism. Their reliance on shifting cultivation, direct use of forest products, adaptation to the environment, and respect for nature spirits reflect a way of life largely determined by the dictates of the natural world around them.

Possibilism

As human societies advanced in social, cultural, and technological terms, their ability to understand and modify the environment increased. Humans moved from being primarily controlled by nature (necessity) to a state where they could perceive opportunities provided by nature and make choices about how to utilize them. Technology empowers humans to create possibilities that were previously limited by the environment.

This viewpoint, which highlights nature as providing opportunities and humans as having the agency to choose and transform the environment, is known as Possibilism. Through their endeavors, humans leave their mark on the natural landscape, creating a cultural landscape and effectively "humanising" nature.

The story of Kari in the town of Trondheim exemplifies possibilism. Advanced technology (specialized transportation, climate-controlled buildings, global connectivity, access to non-local resources) allows her to lead a life that significantly overcomes the constraints of the harsh natural climate, showcasing how humans create possibilities to shape their environment and lifestyle.

Neodeterminism

Introduced by Griffith Taylor, Neodeterminism (also called "stop and go determinism") represents a balanced perspective between environmental determinism and possibilism. It argues that while humans can interact with and modify nature, they must do so within the limits set by the environment.

Using the analogy of traffic lights:

• Red Light: Represents the absolute limits imposed by nature that humans must stop and obey.
• Amber Light: Signifies the preparation time to develop the necessary technology and understanding.
• Green Light: Indicates that humans can proceed with development, but only if it is within the boundaries that do not harm the environment.

This concept suggests that there is neither complete environmental control nor absolute human freedom. Possibilities exist, but they must be pursued sustainably. The adverse environmental consequences resulting from unconstrained development by some economies (like climate change, resource depletion) highlight the importance of respecting natural limits. Neodeterminism thus promotes a balanced approach to development that acknowledges both the influence of nature and the capability of humans, advocating for harmony between the two.

Fields And Sub-fields Of Human Geography

Human geography seeks to understand the spatial distribution and relationships of all aspects of human life on Earth. Given this broad scope, it is a highly inter-disciplinary field, forming close connections with other social science disciplines to analyze and explain human phenomena.

As knowledge expands, new specialized areas and sub-fields within human geography continue to emerge.

Evolution of Human Geography (Table 1.1)

The focus and methods in human geography have developed over time:

Schools of Thought in Human Geography (1970s)

Reacting against the limitations of the quantitative revolution, three new schools of thought emerged, aiming to make human geography more relevant to contemporary social and political issues:

• Welfare or Humanistic School: Concerned with assessing and understanding aspects of human well-being, such as housing, health, and education, from a geographical perspective.
• Radical School: Employed theories derived from Marxism to analyze and explain the root causes of social problems like poverty, deprivation, and inequality, often linking them to capitalist systems.
• Behavioural School: Focused on how people perceive and interact with space based on their personal experiences and social characteristics like ethnicity, race, and religion. It emphasizes the subjective understanding of the environment.

Human Geography and Sister Disciplines (Table 1.2)

Human geography collaborates closely with various social science disciplines: