Environmental Determinism

From Geography

Environmental determinism, also known as climatic determinism or geographical determinism, relies on an approach which implies that individuals are bound by their environmental settings, especially climate. These forms of physical geographies determine human behaviour, defined by stimulus-response [1]. The approach argues that causal mechanics for behaviour are to be found in the environment (Mitchell, 2000, p. 17). Therefore, all our behaviour is a result of some environmental determination. Because of this determination, this approach does not leave room for speculations, or in any way other key possiblities then stimuli that may cause human behaviour.

History

Environmental determinism rose to prominence in the late 19th century and early 20th century, partly through the work of human geographer Friedrich Ratzel. Ratzel collapsed society into nature through the concept of Lebensraum. Thus he argued that the concept of state was a natural link between people and environment (Mitchell, 2000, p. 18).

Although environmental determinism is seen as a relatively new approach its origins go back to the ancient times. Aristotle climate classification system was used to explain why people were limited to living in certain areas due to the climatic conditions.

Critique

Environmental determinism caused a lot of critique by those who could not agree with the determinating component. Carl Sauer for instance stated in the early 20th century that environmental determinism led to premature generalizations about an area’s culture and did not allow for results based on direct observation or other research. This eventually resulted in a shift from environmental determinism to environmental possibilism (Briney, n.d.). Environmental possibilism leaves more space for the element of chance.

References

Briney, A. (n.d.). Environmental Determinism: The Controversal Topic.

Mitchell, D. (2000). Cultural geography: a critical introduction. Blackwell: Oxford.

Edited by --NielsVanLiessum 21:18, 8 September 2011 (UTC)