Geografia - Aula 1 - A história da Geografia

Summary

In this engaging lecture on the history of geography, Professor Regil Opid La Serda introduces the origins of geography as a science, tracing its development from ancient civilizations like the Greeks, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians. He discusses how geography's practical knowledge influenced early human societies, from agriculture to urbanization. The lecture then explores the evolution of geography through key schools of thought, from German determinism to French possibilism, and the rise of critical geography, influenced by Marxist theories. The lecture concludes with a focus on the importance of geography in understanding space and society today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Geography, before becoming an institutionalized science, was crucial for early civilizations, helping them transition from nomadic to sedentary lifestyles.
• 😀 Geography as a scientific discipline emerged between the 17th and 19th centuries, initially institutionalized in Germany to justify territorial dominance.
• 😀 The knowledge used by early civilizations, such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians, laid the foundation for modern geographical science.
• 😀 Science is a systematic method of knowledge with defined objects of study, and geography became a scientific field through this methodology.
• 😀 Friedrich Ratzel's determinism theory proposed that nature determines human actions in space, influencing German territorial expansion and colonialism.
• 😀 Paul Vidal de la Blache's possibilism theory countered determinism, suggesting that nature provides possibilities for development, but human society shapes them.
• 😀 Regional geography, emerging in the 20th century, fragmented space but failed to account for global interconnectedness, a limitation of earlier geographical theories.
• 😀 The New Geography in the 1950s incorporated statistical and mathematical methods, associating economic development with geographical data, often serving capitalist interests.
• 😀 Critical Geography, especially in the 1970s, rejected positivist approaches and introduced Marxist theory, focusing on the social and historical processes shaping space.
• 😀 Milton Santos' work in Brazil emphasized historical materialism and the need to critique spatial relations influenced by societal and economic factors, rejecting elitist geographical models.

Q & A

How does the lecture define science in relation to knowledge?

Science is described as a form of knowledge that involves a defined object of study, a method, and proof. It differs from other types of knowledge, such as religious or philosophical knowledge, by being systematic and empirical.

What role did geographical knowledge play in the development of early civilizations?

Geographical knowledge was fundamental for early civilizations such as the Greeks, Egyptians, and Mesopotamians. It allowed them to transition from nomadic lifestyles to settled ones, particularly through agricultural development and understanding of climate, relief, and water systems.

When did geography emerge as an institutionalized science?

Geography became an institutionalized science in the 17th century, particularly in Germany, where it was formalized with specific principles and methods.

What is determinism in geography, and how was it used by Frederick Ratzel?

Determinism in geography, as proposed by Frederick Ratzel, suggests that nature dictates human actions in space. Ratzel used this idea to justify the dominance of the German people over nature, linking it to the idea of the 'superior' German race, based on evolutionary theories by Darwin.

What is the concept of 'Lebensraum' (vital space) introduced by Ratzel?

Ratzel's concept of 'Lebensraum' or 'vital space' asserts that geographic space is crucial for the development of civilizations. This idea was later used to justify territorial expansion, particularly in the context of German imperialism.

What was Paul Vidal de la Blache's contribution to geography?

Paul Vidal de la Blache introduced the concept of possibilism, which argued that while nature influences human development, humans have the agency to shape and adapt their environment. This contrasted with Ratzel’s determinism.

How does the lecture describe the shift from determinism to possibilism in geography?

The lecture explains that the shift from determinism to possibilism marks a change in how geography views the relationship between humans and nature. While determinism focused on nature's power over humanity, possibilism emphasized the interaction and adaptability of humans within their environment.

What is the significance of the 'new geography' in the 20th century, especially in the United States?

The 'new geography' emerged in the 1950s in the U.S., incorporating statistical and mathematical methods to explain geographical phenomena. It aimed to provide scientific evidence for the dominance of the U.S. economy and was used to justify social theories like the control of population growth in poorer countries.

What is the main idea behind critical geography, as introduced by figures like Milton Santos?

Critical geography, influenced by Marxist thought, focuses on understanding the relationship between space and society. It challenges traditional geography by viewing space as produced by human actions and historical processes, emphasizing social, economic, and political factors.

How does critical geography differ from the earlier schools of thought like determinism and possibilism?

Critical geography differs from earlier theories by rejecting the idea of nature's sole influence on human action. Instead, it views space as shaped by human activity, with an emphasis on social justice, class struggles, and the impact of capitalism on the environment.