Determinism and Possibilism YouTube Lecture Handouts

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Determinism (Ratzel) , Neo-Determinism and Possibilism (Blache) - 3 Perspectives in Human Geography

Possibilism & Determinism

There are various perspectives in human geography like welfare approach, radical approach, humanistic approach, behavioral approach etc.

Illustration: Possibilism & Determinism
Illustration: Possibilism & Determinism
Illustration: Possibilism & Determinism
Illustration: Possibilism & Determinism
Illustration: Possibilism & Determinism

Views on Determinism

  • Greek (Aristotle)
  • Roman (Strabo)
  • Montesquieu
  • Arab (Al-Masudi)
  • Kant
  • German (Ritter)
  • Humboldt
  • RATZEL
  • Semple
  • Huntington
  • Taylor

Semple՚s - Influences of Geographical Environment (1911)

Man is a product of the earth՚s surface. This means not merely that he is a child of the earth, dust of her dust, but the earth has mothered him, set him task, directed his thought, confronted him with difficulties, that have strengthened his body and sharpened his wits, gave him his problems of navigation or irrigation and at the same time whispered hints for their solution …

Critics of Environmental Determinism

  • Spate - without man environment does not exist
  • It separates nature from man - breaks unity
  • Exaggerates nature՚s role in determining human life
  • Data insufficient for supremacy of nature

Neo – Determinism (Stop & Go Determinism)

  • Propounded by TAYLOR
  • Short Term – People Attempt Whatever they Wish
  • Long Term – Environment Wins
  • Man is like the traffic controller – Alters rate but not direction of progress.
  • In no environment are the possibilities limitless & for every choice a price must be paid

Possibilism

  • Lucien Febvre – “The true and only geographical problem is that of utilization of possibilities. There are no necessities, but everywhere possibilities”
Illustration: Possibilism
Illustration: Possibilism

Critics of Possibilism

  • Not all geographical problems are related to man
  • Limited options in deserts, mountains and tundra region
  • Exaggerated role of Culture
  • Promoted over anthropocentricism

Manishika