Which geographer has defined Human geography as "The study of changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth"?
Ellen C. Semple
Understanding Human Geography Definitions
Human geography is a fascinating field that studies the relationship between human societies and their environment. Different geographers have proposed various definitions over time, reflecting their perspectives and the evolving nature of the discipline. One notable definition highlights the dynamic interaction between people and the planet.
Analyzing the Definition: "Unresting Man and Unstable Earth"
The definition in question describes Human geography as "The study of changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth". Let's break down what this phrase implies:
- Unresting Man: This refers to human beings who are constantly active, migrating, adapting, modifying, and transforming their environment. Humans are not static; they are always engaged in activities that impact the world around them.
- Unstable Earth: This highlights the dynamic nature of the Earth itself. The Earth is not a fixed stage but is subject to constant change through natural processes like erosion, tectonic shifts, climate fluctuations, and ecological succession.
- Changing Relationship: This emphasizes that the interaction between humans and the Earth is not static but evolves over time. As human societies develop and the Earth changes, their relationship shifts, creating new challenges and opportunities.
This definition captures the essence of human geography as a study of the complex, ever-evolving interplay between human actions and the Earth's dynamic systems.
Identifying the Geographer
The definition, "The study of changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth," is famously attributed to a prominent American geographer.
Let's consider the options provided:
- F. Ratzel: Friedrich Ratzel is considered one of the founders of modern political geography and anthropogeography. While his work on the relationship between humans and environment was foundational, this specific quote is not his primary definition.
- Ellen C. Semple: Ellen Churchill Semple was a student of Ratzel and a key figure in American geography, known for her work influenced by environmental determinism. This specific and evocative definition is widely recognized as hers, appearing in her influential work, "Influences of Geographic Environment".
- Vidal de la Blache: Paul Vidal de la Blache was a leading figure of the French school of geography and a proponent of possibilism, emphasizing the choices humans make within environmental constraints. His definitions focused more on the concept of 'genre de vie' (lifestyles).
- Griffith Taylor: Griffith Taylor was an Australian geographer known for his work on racial geography and urban geography. He proposed the concept of "Stop-and-Go Determinism" or Neo-determinism, suggesting the environment sets limits but humans can choose the pace of development. This quote does not align with his specific phrasing.
Based on the history of geographical thought, the definition "The study of changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth" is directly linked to Ellen C. Semple.
Conclusion
The definition of Human geography as "The study of changing relationship between the unresting man and the unstable earth" was provided by Ellen C. Semple. This definition highlights the dynamic interaction between active humans and a constantly changing Earth.
Revision Table: Key Geographers and Concepts
| Geographer | Key Concept/Definition Highlight | Associated School of Thought Influence |
|---|---|---|
| F. Ratzel | Founder of Anthropogeography, influence of physical environment (Lebensraum) | Environmental Determinism |
| Ellen C. Semple | "Unresting man and unstable earth", direct environmental influence on humans | Environmental Determinism (major proponent) |
| Vidal de la Blache | Possibilism, Genre de vie (Lifestyles), Regional Geography | Possibilism (French School) |
| Griffith Taylor | Neo-determinism (Stop-and-Go Determinism) | Neo-determinism |
Additional Information: Schools of Thought in Human Geography
The definition by Ellen C. Semple is often discussed within the context of major schools of thought regarding the human-environment relationship:
- Environmental Determinism: This school of thought suggests that the physical environment largely determines human cultures, societies, and development. Ellen C. Semple was a prominent advocate, arguing that geographical factors significantly influence human life and activities.
- Possibilism: Developed partly as a reaction to environmental determinism, possibilism argues that the environment presents possibilities or options, but human culture and technology determine which possibilities are realized. Vidal de la Blache is a key figure associated with this view.
- Neo-determinism (Stop-and-Go Determinism): Proposed by Griffith Taylor, this view is a middle ground. It suggests that the environment sets the broad limits for human activities (like a traffic controller), but within those limits, humans have the freedom to choose the pace and direction of development ("stop" or "go").
Understanding these different perspectives helps in appreciating the evolution of geographical thought and the context of definitions like the one provided by Ellen C. Semple.
Important Questions from Human Geography : Nature and Scope
Direction (Q46. to Q50.) Read the given passage carefully and answer following five questions:
India has 640,867 villages according to the Census 2011 out of which 597,608 (93.2 per cent) are inhabited villages. However, the distribution of rural population is not uniform throughout the country. You might have noted that the states, like Bihar and Sikkim have very high percentage of rural population. The states of Goa and Maharashtra have only little over half of their total population residing in villages. The Union Territories, on the other hand, have smaller proportion of rural population, except Dadra and Nagar Haveli (53.38 per cent).
The size of villages also varies considerably. It is less than 200 persons in the hill states of north-eastern India, Western Rajasthan and Rann of Kachchh and as high as 17 thousand persons in the states of Kerala and in parts of Maharashtra. A thorough examination of the pattern of distribution of rural population of India reveals that both at intra-State and inter-State levels, the relative degree of urbanization and extent of rural-urban migration regulate the concentration of rural population.
You have noted that contrary to rural population, the proportion of urban population (31.16 per cent) in India is quite low but it is showing a much faster rate of growth over the decades. The growth rate of urban population has accelerated due to enhanced economic development and improvement in health and hygienic conditions. The distribution of urban population too, as in the case of total population, has a wide variation throughout the country.
Which one of these states have high percentage of rural population according to Census 2011?
Arrange the following cities present on Trans-Canadian Railways Route from East to West direction.
A. Sydney
B. Ottawa
C. Montreal
D. Quebec
E. Halifax
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Make a correct sequence of age-sex Pyramids in ascending order in relation to the development:
A. Declining Populations
B. Ageing Populations
C. Expanding Populations
D. Constant Populations
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:
Which of the following is not an Air Pollutant?
Which of the following geographers described the ‘state/country’ as a ‘living organism’?
