The Concepts of the Relationship between Space and Human Behaviour - Coursework Example

Abstract This paper aims at exploration the concepts of the relationship between space and human behaviour. The paper will also examines the functions of the geography in different periods of human history. It is shown that geography served to the practical needs of the human society, and that now it permits to understand the interaction between man and nature. Geography and Society Introduction One of the main subjects of the geography is the study of the relationship between space and people. At the beginning of the human history, the natural circumstances predetermined the economic activity, and the main purpose of the geography was to describe the territory and habits of people that lived there. As the human civilization spread its activity on the unoccupied places, the purpose of the geography became to help in marking, distribution of the territories as well as their economic exploitation of the lands. The Relationship between Space and Human Behaviour The influence of the environment on the culture and civilization was one of the key aspects of the ancient and new philosophy. The ancient philosophers studied the question concerning place of the people in the nature. For instance, stoics believed that was determined by strict laws and designed for the benefits of humanity. Epicureans, in their turn, that the nature is not designed for purely for the human beings (Unwin, 1992). In the Christian tradition, the nature exists for the people, and people have to cultivate and take care of the land. The Fall destroyed the harmonic relationship between people and the environment, and people have to work hard in the cursed world. Starting from the ancient times, the idea that natural circumstances determine and effect on the character of the nations was prevalent. Ancient geographers believed that climate determines the character of the people on the certain territory (Unwin, 1992). The theory that high level of culture and civilization can be achieved only in in the places with the stimulating climate was expressed in the works of American and European geographers of the 19th century: Huntington, Ratzel, Semple, etc. These scientists believed the European climate, in contrast to the constant tropical heat, was the main reason that lead to the development of the civilization, industry and culture (Hudson, 1977). The differences between lowlands, highlands and mountains were treated as a factor affecting on the formation of the national character. The idea that natural circumstances of the Europe suited to the high level of the civilization turned into idea that white race should dominate in the world. The representatives of white race have to bring the culture to the other regions of the world (Hudson, 1977). The idea of domination of one race on others is groundless. Such civilizations as Chinese, Arab and Japanese developed in different climate and relief. However, their achievements are significant. There are no doubt that natural circumstances affected on the economic activity within the separate region, especially in the ancient times. The lifestyle predetermined the habits and culture of people in the certain region. The development of industry, agriculture and science changed this situation. Now society can change the nature and makes people protected from its effect. The Function of Geography through the Different Ages As the interaction between human society and nature changed through the ages, the function of the geography also changed. The development of the geography in the society is the movement from the unrecorded pre-geography, through the formal pre-geography to the formal geography (Unwin, 1992). The geographical knowledge should have certain utility and should be worth to be preserved. The geography starts from the informal explorations and discoveries in the prehistoric peoples. It formed the basis of the pre-geographical knowledge in the Greek and Roman times (Unwin, 1992). Three main traditions can identified in the Greek geographical works. The first tradition is to describe the different regions and people living there. The second tradition is measurement of the earth. This direction is closely connected with the astronomy. The third tradition is connected with the theology and is concerned with answering the question of the reason for human existence on the earth (Unwin, 1992). Hecataeus of Miletus created the first description of the earth. The histories of Herodotus, where he described different regions of the ancient world and its traditions, is one of the examples of the pre-geographical works. The first conceptions of the form of the earth were presented in the works of Thales of Miletus, Anaximander and Pythagoras. The works of Thales of Miletus, Anaximander, Aristotle and Plato gave the first ideas of creation the world (Unwin, 1992). Classical formal geography started from the works of Strabo, Pliny and Ptolemy. Strabo and Pliny tended to the topographical approach in the geography. Strabo’s Geography and Natural history of Pliny describe different regions and tribes known by Ellen. Strabo also treated geography as useful instrument for the administration and conquering of the territories. Ptolemy, in contrast, treated geography as description of the lands (called chorography) and measurement of the earth. He paid attention to the construction of the globe, projection of the world on the plane surface and division of the world on the regions (Unwin, 1992). The medieval ages was the period of stagnation for the geography in Europe. However, geography developed in other regions of the world. Chinese scientific activity is related to the periods of Tang and Southern Sung dynasties (Unwin, 1992). Geographical works were connected with the needs of conquests and having precise information about lands under the power of the emperor. There were five main types of the Chinese geography: anthropological, description of folks and regions situated on the south of China, description of the hydrology and coasts, local topographies and geographical encyclopaedias (Unwin, 1992). Islamic geography was based on the achievements of ancient scientists and was influenced by the Islamic expansion and the Islamic faith (Meri, 2006). The functions of Islamic geography were connected with the administration and government of the lands, travels, long-distance trade, as well as with the specific needs of Muslim religion focused on the pilgrimage to the holy places (Mecca) and finding the right direction for the prayer (Meri, 2006; Unwin, 1992). The Islamic scientists enriched both geography and astronomy. The new era of the European geography began in the Age of Discovery. The redirecting of the activity of noble men from internal affairs outside their countries (especially in Portugal and modern Spain) lead to the overseas exploration. Thus, new continents and new seaways were discovered. The expansion of the European power revived the cartography and cosmography. However, the work of Nicolas Copernicus De revolutionibus changed the concept that Earth is in the centre of the universe. It lead to the fact that geography was separated from the astronomy (Unwin, 1992). The geography was mostly focused on the changing the concepts of measurement of the earth and served as instrument for the sharing European expansion. The geography of the 17-19th century was focused on the description of the discovered lands. Cartography formed the basis for geographical studies providing the instrument for the detailed description and exploration of the new territories (Unwin, 1992). New Geography Geography of the capitalist (or imperialistic) period served to the needs of the exploitation of overseas territories, distribution of the spheres of the influence, as well as for the military purposes. The economy of the developed capitalist countries needed mere resources in the end of the 19th century, and it evoked the interest to the exploration of the colonised territories in Africa and Asia. Moreover, the detailed information about the territory permitted to wage a war more successfully (Hudson, 1977). Growing interest to the overseas lands exploration led to the creation of geographical societies in France, Great Britain, Germany and Belgium. Apart from studying the nature of the colonies, the researches were aimed on the getting information about the natural resources and the colonial markets. Thus, geographical statistics and economic geography became the important part of geography (Hudson, 1977). Geography became the important part of the education for the persons who served their countries in the colonies, as well as for the businesspersons and military men. Geography (especially the theory of determination) was connected with so-called sharing European culture on the other continents. The idea that European climate predetermines higher level of European civilization favoured to the European expansion. However, “the sharing of European culture” was connected with overpopulation in Europe and funding new sources of raw materials for the European economy (Hudson, 1977). Conclusion Geography was closely connected to the practical needs of human society in all periods of the history. In ancient times, it served to the needs of governance, administration and conquest. In the medieval ages and 17-19th century it served to the exploration of the new lands. In the period of imperialism, geography was the instrument for the military expansion and exploitation of the natural resources. However, geography also permitted to create complete scientific concept of the world. It would be hard to understand without geography the place of the man in the world and the relationship between space and man. References Hudson, Brian. (1977). The New Geography and the New Imperialism: 1870-1918. Antipode, 2 (9): 12-19. Meri, J.W. (Ed.) (2006). Medieval Islamic Civilization, New York: Routledge Taylor & Francis Group. Unwin, Tim (1992). The Place of Geography, Essex, England: Longman Scientific & Technical. Read More