About the Book
Geographic thought, at any point in time, is a manifestation of the interaction between the prevailing philosophical viewpoints and the major methodological approaches in vogue. Because of the extreme diversity of viewpoints on both philosophy and methodology, there has been a constant extension, and even a shift, in the focus of the disciplines. Numerous journal articles have appeared presenting or discussing particular philosophies and their relationship to geography. However, there has been no single book presenting an overview of the whole field.
This book puts together, in one volume, the diverse philosophies prevalent in geography. Eminent scholars each present a particular philosophy, its basic themes, its relationship to other philosophies, its impact on geography and its potential as a forum for geographic research.
Contents
• Paradigm, Philosophy and Geographic Thought
Milton E. Harvey and Brian P. Holly
• Positivism: A ‘Hidden’ Philosophy in Geography
Michael R. Hill
• Pragmatism: Geography and the Real World
John W. Frazier
• Functionalism
Milton E. Harvey
• Phenomenology
Edward C. Relph
• An Existential Geography
Marwyn S. Samuels
• Idealism
Leonard Guelke
• Realism
Edward M. Gibson
• Environmental Causation
John E. Chappell
• Marxism: Dialectical Materialism, Social Formation and the Geographic Relations
Richard J. Peet and James V. Lyons
About the Author / Editor
Milton E. Harvey is Professor of Geography at Kent State University, Ohio.
Brian P. Holly is Assistant Professor of Geography at Kent State University, Ohio.
