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Chapter 1: Introduction A S cientific A pproach to Geography

Chapter 1: Introduction A S cientific A pproach to Geography. Book Authors: Daniel R. Montello Paul C. Sutton. Prepared for: GEOG 4020, Geographic Research Methodology University of Denver , Department of Geography. Chapter 1 Outline.

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Chapter 1: Introduction A S cientific A pproach to Geography

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  1. Chapter 1: IntroductionA Scientific Approach to Geography Book Authors: Daniel R. Montello Paul C. Sutton Prepared for: GEOG 4020, Geographic Research Methodology University of Denver , Department of Geography

  2. Chapter 1 Outline • Section 1: Overview of the Logic and Philosophy of Science • Characteristic metaphysical beliefs of scientists • Nonscientific ways of knowing • Goals of science • Section 2: History and Philosophical Systems of the Discipline of Geography: Natural Science, Social Science and Humanities • Geographical thought • Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary • Concept application GEOG 4020

  3. Section 1Overview of the Logic and Philosophy of Science GEOG 4020

  4. Characteristic Metaphysical Beliefs of Scientists • Realist philosophy • Realism, sentient beings, organization • Only continuously connected and forward causality • A causes B through continuous travel between the space and time separating the two • Simplicity • Parsimony • Nomothetic and idiographic GEOG 4020

  5. Characteristic Metaphysical Beliefs of Scientists • Skepticism • Doubt that theories in absolute terms will be identified • Role of chance as an explanation of results • Quantitative thinking • Observation and logic • Use of mathematics and computers GEOG 4020

  6. Nonscientific Ways of Knowing • Humanities • History, philosophy, languages and literature • Logical application of ideas to understand reality • Specifically the reality of human existence • Does not employ systematic empirical observation • Informally analyze texts and symbolic artifacts of human thought • Often concerned with promoting ideas of human value and mortality GEOG 4020

  7. Nonscientific Ways of Knowing • Science is an ideal that is complicated by human nature and therefore rarely attained • One can accept the value of the scientific approach without believing that science is the only valid and useful way of knowing • Being nonscientific does not mean the approach is irrelevant or without value • Science is not the road to all truth and enlightenment GEOG 4020

  8. Goals of Science Continuum of scientific goals: Control the phenomena to bring about desired changes Explanation of causal relations among entities and events Prediction of phenomena Description of basic phenomena Goal 4 Goal 3 Goal 2 GEOG 4020 Goal 1

  9. Goals of Science • Basic research • No specific application • Expression of human curiosity and intellectual mastery • Concerned with the first three goals of science: description, prediction and explanation • Applied research • Focuses on the first three goals of science as well as control • Research used to meet a specific need or problem GEOG 4020

  10. Section 2History and Philosophical Systems of the Discipline of Geography: Natural Science, Social Science and Humanities GEOG 4020

  11. History of Geographical Thought • Geography – study of the earth as the home of humanity • Early need for geography: military and trade • Geodesy – measurement of the earth • Regional geography • Characterization of places and regions • Geomorphological, climatological, cultural, and economic • Positivist approach • A truth exists and can be identified GEOG 4020

  12. History of Geographical Thought • Quantitative revolution • Mid 20th Century • Extensive use of mathematics and computers • Post – positivist emergence in the late 20th century • Phenomenoloy • Marxism • Feminism • Social theory • Postmodernism/poststructuralism GEOG 4020 http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/Shustek/15-STRETCH.gif&imgrefurl=http://ed-thelen.org/comp-hist/Shustek/ShustekTour-03.html&usg=__C6ng0J7uuygyy2HnslYUXNiPZYk=&h=403&w=601&sz=119&hl=en&start=2&tbnid=noaxlyQOJMAu3M:&tbnh=91&tbnw=135&prev=/images%3Fq%3D1950s%2Bsupercomputer%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den

  13. Current State of Geography Human Geography Physical Geography Pluralistic Discipline • Overlaps with • Sociology • Economics • Anthropology • Psychology • Political Science • History • Literature • Philosophy • Art • Overlaps with • Geology • Biology • Ecology • Oceanography • Hydrology • Climatology • Atmospheric science GEOG 4020

  14. Concept Application • What are some characteristics of a scientific approach to geography? • What are some important limitations of a scientific approach to knowing? • What are the four scientific goals and how do they relate to each other? • What are major developments in ideas and approaches of the discipline of geography during the 20th century? GEOG 4020

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