First order space

From Geography

First order space is 'created' by Zierhofer. He made a distinction in space, he devided space in 'first order space' and 'second order space' "The benefit of this distinction between first and second order spaces is to combine a notion of space as fundamental epistemic category, on the one hand, with the infinite empirical richness of particular object-spaces and locational schemes, on the other hand. (2005, p. 32)"

Important is "to realize that the function and value of a universal epistemic category rests in the possibility to be applied to contents of any kind, but that this does not imply a claim of universal validity. Only an interpretation of first order space as a contingent cognitive tool – a distinction produced and used in a certain communicative context – would be compatible with a non-representational approach." (2005, p. 32)

The first order space as Zierhofer says it: "is nothing but the bare possibility to draw one or more distinctions." (2002, p. 1369) To make these distinctions we need to have underlying terms or codes to make sure we can make this distinction. For example: here/there, Yes/No and we need an amount of units to make it possible to rank these units.

When we add time to space, we enter the second-order space

Source:

- Zierhofer, W. (2002). Speech acts and space(s): Language pragmatics and the discursive constitution of the social. Environment and Planning,34,1355-1372. Retrieved on 10 October 2010, from http://blackboard.ru.nl/bbcswebdav/courses/ABBW-BCU255A-01-2010/Zierhofer(2002).pdf

- Zierhofer, W. (2005). State, power and space. Social Geography,1,29-36. Retrieved on 10 October 2010, from http://www.soc-geogr.net/1/29/2005/sg-1-29-2005.pdf, p.32