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| Title |
A Theoretical Study Of Geographic Reality And Human Concepts
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| Author(s) |
Stevens, Charles Rolfe
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| School/Department |
Department of Geography
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| Institution |
University of Denver
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| Degree Type |
Master's
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| Degree Name |
M.A.
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| Type of Resource |
text
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| Degree Date |
1968-2
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| Digital Origin |
reformatted digital
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| Rights Statement |
All Rights Reserved
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| Reason for Restrictions |
No restrictions
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| Type of Restriction |
No restrictions
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| Keyword(s) |
Geography
Geology
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| Abstract |
An understanding of human behavior within the man-environment system requires both analysis of the physical influences of the environment and recognition of the purposes, prejudices, and capacities of man. Exclusive application of one of two parallel theories, environmental determinism or cultural determinism, generally results in incomplete explanation. It is suggested that the problem may be resolved through analysis of human attitudes, concepts, and images that relate to the environment. Human concepts of geographic reality are derived from those elements of reality which man's perceptual systems are able to detect, and from the full spectrum of man's culture, experience, personality, and motivation. These concepts become the operational basis for adaptation to and manipulation of the geographic environment. Thus the meaning of a given environment to a particular society or individual relates to a specific context of time, place, and culture. If geographical significance is dependent on both external reality and internal human qualities, "raw" data are in-sufficient for most human needs. The subjective factor in environmental observation and evaluation thus becomes not only inevitable but also necessary. Subjective and contextual factors are present in the writings of explorers and geographers. Explorers tend to be mission oriented or programmed in terms of a particular society and a particular goal. Geographers as scientists tend to operate within a context which relates to culture and personality, and attempts to achieve "pure" objectivity in a field which is essentially human oriented may not be appropriate.
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| Handle |
http://hdl.handle.net/10176/codu:38532
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| Attached Files |
| Name |
Description |
MIMEType |
Size |
Downloads |
du_mas_1968_Stevens.pdf
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du_mas_1968_Stevens.pdf |
application/pdf |
3.89MB |
0 |
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