Describe the concept of Environmental determinism, …

Environmental determinism: The interaction between the primitive society and nature is called environmental determinism. This idea was supported by the two German geographers Ratzel and Semple. In this case, nature acts as an active force whereas man is the passive force. Nature dictates the activities of man. Reasons for this- low level of socio-cultural, economical and technical development. It is a state of absolute necessity. Possibilism: The interaction between the modern society and the nature is called Possibilism. This idea was supported by the French geographer Blache. In this concept, the man becomes the active force whereas the nature takes a backseat. Man with the help of technological developments and socio-economic development has controlled the activities of the nature. It is a state of absolute freedom. Neo-determinism: A geographer Griffith Taylor introduced a new concept which reflects a middle path (Madhyam Marg) between the two ideas Environmental determinism and Possibilism. The concept shows that there never arises a situation of absolute freedom or absolute necessity. Human beings can conquer nature only by obeying it. It tries to maintain a balance between development and nature. The neo-determinism conceptually attempts to bring a balance nullifying the either or dichotomy. Sustainable development is the main aim.

Possibilism is reaction to determinism and environmental determinism. It is based upon the assumption that environment sets certain constraints or limitations, but culture is otherwise determined by social conditions. This theory says that the true and only geographical problem is that to utilisation of possibilities. Environmental determinism is an idea that occupied a central position in geography dur- ing the early part of the twentieth century. It holds that the physical environment shapes the course of human economic, cultural, and social development, and that this effect is independent of space and time.