Naturalisation of Humans and Humanisation of Nature
This section elaborates on the intricate relationship between humans and nature, focusing on how geography encompasses both physical and human components as critical subjects of study. Human geography is described as the syncretic study that investigates the relationships between human societies and their physical surroundings. The various schools of thought, including environmental determinism, which argued that human actions are shaped by the physical environment, and possibilism, which posited that humans can adapt their environment through technology, are discussed.
Furthermore, Paul Vidal de la Blache’s concept of neodeterminism is introduced, suggesting a middle ground where human behavior is influenced by nature yet can also reshape it. Real-life examples illustrate how distinct communities adapt their lifestyles based on geographical conditions, showcasing both naturalisation of humans, who live in accordance with nature, and humanisation of nature, where human activities modify the environment. The section ultimately advocates for a holistic understanding of geography, viewing the physical and human elements as interdependent components of the earth's system.