Dichotomy and Dualism

let's learn about dichotomy and dualism. Dichotomy is a division or contrast between two things that are or are represented as being opposed or entirely different. It can also mean repeated branching into two equal parts1. For example, there is often a dichotomy between what politicians say and what they do. Hello, this is Bing. Dualism has different meanings depending on the context. In general, it is the division of something conceptually into two opposed or contrasted aspects, or the state of being so divided1. For example, in philosophy, dualism is a theory that considers reality to consist of two irreducible elements or modes, such as mind and matter2. In religion, dualism is the belief in two supreme opposed powers or gods, or sets of divine or demonic beings, that caused the world to exist3.

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1. bing.com
2. merriam-webster.com
3. britannica.com
4. dictionary.com
5. plato.stanford.edu
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Philosophical dualism.
Religious dualism.
Other types of dualism.

1. DICHOTOMY AND DUALISM KASTURI MUKHERJEE ADAMAS UNIVERSITY https://www.digistore24.com/redir/384913/deepsss/

2. Dichotomy and Dualism Dichotomy and Dualism is a major prespective in human geography that explains the splitting views. In Geography 5 views have been defined 1. Physical versus human geography 2. General versus regional geography 3. Deterministic versus possibilistic geography 4. Historical versus contemporary geography 5. Formal versus functional sites

3. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography As regards dichotomy of physical geography versus human geography, the Greeks were probably the first who started this branching of the discipline. Hecataeus gave more weight to physical geography, while Herodotus and Strabo emphasized the human aspect.

4. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography Verenius , whose Geographia Generalis was published Amsterdam in 1650, was one of the first scholars to suggest the essential differences in the characteristics of physical and human geography. At the beginning of the 18th century, Immanuel Kant delivered lectures on physical geography at the University of Konigsburg (Germany). He studied the deflection of wind direction resulting from earth’s rotation. Humboldt was primarily interested in physical geography. On the other hand, Carl Ritter, the first professor of geography at the Berlin University, was more inclined towards human geography. 

5. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography Reclus laid emphasis on systematic physical geography called La Terre. After Reclus , Darwin gave importance to physical aspect of the discipline while postulating the concepts of struggle and survival. Under these circumstances, Mare Somerville published Physical Geography in 1848. In the second half of the 19th century, geographers concerned themselves more and more with physical geography. They established geomorphology, the study of landforms, which later became the most substantial element in physical geography. The term ‘geomorphology’ was coined by Albrecht Penck . He stressed the importance of relief maps for a systematic study of geography. Later on, Koppen , Davis, Martonne , Mill, Jafferson and Dokuchaive put great emphasis on landforms and climate as the major concerns of geography. In all these studies, man (the most important component of ecosystem) was ignored.

6. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography Ratzel and Semple also gave greater importance to physical environment which determines the lifestyle of people. Semple asserted that “man is the product of earth surface”. Huntington, while writing about the march of civilizations, has opined that the shift in their centres was due to the climate and weather conditions. Mackinder, Chisholm and Herbertson also recognized physical geography as the main field of geographers. Ritter and Ratzel were among the first who considered man as an agent who brings change in the landscape. Febvre placed emphasis on the fact that human beings are an element of the ‘landscape’—an element whose activity is incorporated in it, a modifying agent of the environment which ‘humanizes’ it.

7. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography It was Vidal de Lablache who founded the school of human geography. He gave relatively less importance to the elements of physical environment as the major determinants of cultural landscape of a region. Vidal had a clear insight into the weakness of physical geography and the deterministic argument. According to Vidal, it is unreasonable to draw boundaries between natural and cultural phenomena; they should be regarded as united and inseparable. In an area of human settlement, nature changes significantly because of the presence of man, and these changes are the greatest where the level of material culture of a community is the highest.  In America, Mark Jafferson brought the idea of ‘central places’, ‘the primate city’ and ‘the civilizing rails’ in the field of human and urban geography.

8. Physical Geography v/s Human Geography However some geographers believe that the dichotomy between physical and human geography is illogical and should be abolished for the survival of the subject. Hartshorne argues that if we divide geography into physical and human branches, we make rest of the work illogical. We should study the influence of physical factors on man and influence of man`s activities on the earth in an integrated manner.

9. Regional Geography v/s Systematic Geography The dichotomy between regional and systematic geography was raised by Varenius in 17th century by dividing geography into regional and general geography. Later on, general geography was referred to as systematic geography . According to Varenius , general (systematic) geography is concerned with the formulation of universal laws and principles. General (systematic) geography treats the whole world as a unit. Regional geography on the other hand deals with the description of particular regions or spatial units.

10. Regional Geography v/s Systematic Geography Von Richthofen considered regional geography as descriptive in nature aimed at description of salient features of a particular region whereas, general geography, according to him, studies the distribution of geographical features. Historically the foundation of systematic geography was laid by Alexander von Humboldt and that of regional geography was laid by Carl Ritter. Vidal de Lablache and Hettner also stressed for regional geography.

11. Deterministic versus Possibilistic geography Environmental possibilism and determinism are theories, put forth in order to comprehend and understand the role played by the physical environmental conditions in the emergence and progress of any human culture or society in a particular location.

12. Historical Geography v/s Contemporary Geography Historical geography deals with the geography of an area, region or world as it had been in the past. For example, if we could ascertain the cropping patterns and settlement distributions in India during the medieval period, it would be an aspect of historical geography. Historical geography, however, does not fit within the framework of geography as we know it but stands side by side with the geography of present times.  Contemporary geography deals with the existing patterns of spatial differentiation of phenomena. Contemporary geography will become historical geography with the passage of time. Contemporary geography and historical geographical are mutually exclusive and must logically exist as supporting each other.

13. Study of Functional Regions versus Geography of Formal Regions The dichotomy of functional location and formal site means the division of geography into the studies of geography of real places on the earth surface and the geometric space on paper. The functional location or functional region (or nodal) is a new concept in geography. In a given location (region), there is a variety of relief, soil, land use, industry, transport linkages and marketing centres . 

14. Study of Functional Regions versus Geography of Formal Regions In contrast to functional locations, the formal site study concerns with the phenomena which exist in a region or place and their interdependence on each other. The basic philosophy of the study of formal locations is that the uniform relief combined with uniform climate, and uniform soil result into uniform land use, settlements and mode of life within a region. Formal Region Functional Region

15. Study of Functional Regions versus Geography of Formal Regions This traditional approach of formal sites looks out-dated in the present context and cannot be of much help in explaining the complex relationship of man with environment. In the study of functional locations absolute distances and space are irrelevant. In this approach, accessibility and isolations are measured in a special way, usually in terms of cost distance, time distance or mileage through a transport network, and these distances are measured from special nodes or axes. With the adoption of quantitative techniques and computer technology, geographers are moving from the study of formal sites to that of functional locations.