Concept of determinism and possibilism

Determinism vs. Possibilism

Introduction:

No exact answer to this question has yet been found – to what extent do the natural elements of the world affect humans. In modern times, a continuous study of human relations with nature has begun. At present, the view of geographers has changed. The geographers has now human-centered. As a result, the relationship of nature with human beings & human with nature beings, is being studied in a systematic way. The opinion of geographers like Carl Ritter (1779-1859), Alexander Von Humboldt (1761-1859), Hackel, Bukle, Edmond Demolines, F. Ratzel, W.M. Davis, Huntington etc. geographers particularly important in this regard. And of these concepts, two important concepts are:

                                                   i.         Determinism

                                                  ii.         Possibilism

:Concept of Determinism in Geography:

According to Determinism, the history, culture, life style & stage of development of a social group or nation are exclusively governed by the physical factors of environment. 

Supporter:

The natural environment controls human life. This concept is presented by major geographers of the present century. Namely,

                                                                              i.         Ellen Churchill Semple

                                                                             ii.         Elseworth huntington

                                                                           iii.         Friedrich Ratzel

Example:

Drought, floods, earthquakes, tsunamis etc. natural things are influencing people & nature controls human vision & decision-making process. 

Keynotes of Determinism:

      i.         The determinists generally consider man as a passive agent.

     ii.         Nature has dominated man.

   iii.         Nature has controlled human activity & nature has influenced the personal & economic life of people.

   iv.         Human actions are controlled by nature’s chosen constraints.

     v.         Differences in human behavior are observed for differences in the natural environment.

   vi.         Nature acts as determinant of human activities & development of societies.

Development of Determinism:

Age/Era/ Time	Ancient Age (1200 B.C. – 500 A.D.)	Middle Age (500 – 1100 A.D.)	The Renaissance Age (1400 – 1600)	Eighteenth Century	Nineteenth Century	Darwin Phase	Twentieth Century
Concept	Teleologica-l Concept	Teleologica-l Concept	Teleologica-l Concept	Teleologica-l Concept	Geographi-c Determinis-m	Scientific -Explanation	Environmental Determinism
							Climatic Determinism
							Politics & Determinism
							Physiological Determinism
Geographers	Herodotus, Hippocrates, Eratosthenes, Strabo, Ptolemy	Al-Masudi, Al-Idrisi, Al-Battani, Ibn-Hawqul	Cluverius, N. Carpenter, Jean Bodin, Montesquieu	Immanuel Kant, stocking	Carl Ritter, Humboldt	Darwin, Ratzel, Haeckel, Spencer	Huntington, C. Semple, Mackinder, P. Geddes

Reason for the Fall of Determinism:

      i.         Lack of Flexibility: The ultimate cause of this decline is the extreme & rigid form of the concept of determinism. 

     ii.         Overriding Human Role:  Supporter of the humanitarian view criticize determinism, for the concept of determinism does not give the least importance to the human role on earth.

   iii.         Technology Improvements: The developments of human technology encourages people to influence nature & the concept of determinism is criticized.

   iv.         Theoretical Weaknesses: The theoretical side of the determinism is quick weak.

     v.         Impact of World War II: World War II brings a devastating catastrophe to civilization & society around the world. Determinism concept gradually lost its popularity as it re-imagined the role of people in changing society & civilization.

:Concept of Possibilism in Geography:

According to Concept of Possibilism, the natural environment of each region presents some possibilities to the people of the region. Among these possibilities, people choose the one that best fits their culture.

Supporter:

There are two notable proponents of this idea of Possibilism-

                                                                                                                                             i.         Vidal de la Blache

                                                                                                                                            ii.         Lucien Febvre

Example:

People build canals in extreme drought areas to make crop production useful.

Keynotes of Possibilism:

The issues that have been emphasized in the concept of Possibilism are:

      i.         The environment is controlling people, on the contrary, human are also changing their own environment.

     ii.         Nature is considered to be the adviser, man is free to select among these advices.

   iii.         Man is considered to be active in selecting the possibilities offered by nature.

   iv.         Nature offers opportunities & man selects best among them according to his need, technology, tradition, belief & culture.

Development of Possibilism:

Era/Time/Age	Pre-19th Century	19th Century	20th Century
Concept	Crypto-possibilistic Concept	Dominance of Man over Nature	Possibilism	Cultural Landscape & Human Biology
Geographers	Plato, Montesquieu, Comte de Buffon, Immanuel Kant	Alfred Kirchhoff, Paul Vidal de la Blache	Lucien Febvre, Jean Brunhes	Alfred Hettner, Marton I. Newbigin

Reason for the Concept of Possibilism is Popularity:

      i.         Emphasis on People: The first geography of the Possibilism aspect is to acknowledge the human role. This doctrine quickly became acceptable because of the two-dimensional explanation of human nature.

     ii.         Humanitarian View: According to Determinism, people are trivial. Many geographers does not accept this concept. Possibilism is becoming increasing popular for more humanitarians this concept.

   iii.         New Technology Emergence: Improving technology encourages people to interfere with nature. Based on these conditions, it became easier to broaden the doctrine of Possibilism.

   iv.         Impact of World War I: The unfortunate geographical manifestation of the military power of the people of the World War I had begun to re-think geographically. In fact, the role of World War I is of paramount importance as a prime example of human power & the nature of change.

:Dichotomy/Distinguish Between Determinism & Possibilism:

Subjects	Determinism	Possibilism
i.         Definition	The history, culture, life style & stage of development of a social group or nation are exclusively governed by the physical factors of environment, is called determinism.	The natural environment of each region presents some possibilities to the people of the region. Among these possibilities, people choose the one that best fits their culture, is called possibilism.
ii.         Principles	Nature controls & dominates over life style, activities, occupation, culture, social & economic development of a society & physical as well as psychological structure of human being.	Nature offers opportunities & man selects best among them according to his need, technology, tradition, belief & culture.
iii.         Role of Nature	Nature acts as determinant of human activities & development of societies.	Nature is considered to be the adviser, man is free to select among these advices.
iv.         Role of Man	Man is considered to be passive & is controlled by nature.	Man is considered to be active in selecting the possibilities offered by nature.
v.         Time	In post-Darwinism phase up to 1930s, determinism developed as a well-established Paradigm.	In the first decades of 20th century possibilism become popular.
vi.         School of Geographers	German & American School of Geography contributed mainly for development of determinism.	French School of Geography led by Vidal de la Blache contributed for possibilism ( School of Possibilism).
vii.         Scientific Basis	Determinism has a firm scientific base supported by Darwinism.	Scholars are doubtful on the scientific base of possibilism.
viii.         Supporter	Ellen Churchill Semple Elseworth huntington Friedrich Ratzel	Vidal de la Blache Lucien Febvre
ix.         Control of Build Culture	The environment forces people to build a culture.	The environment is not the first architect of human culture.
x.         Field of Importance	More importance has been placed on nature then on humans.	More importance has been placed on people then on nature.

Conclusion:

By dividing the ideas of Determinism & Possibilism, we can conclude that an idea is not entirely acceptable. This difference proves that the social, culture & environment has evolved mainly though the reciprocal relationship of human & nature.

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