Product Description

This text explores the relationship between philosophy, science and physical geography, addressing an imbalance between a philosophically enriched human geography and a perceived philosophically ignorant physical geography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #208470 in Books
• Published on: 2004-12-09
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 176 pages

Review
'An important text for undergraduate students of geography that makes a significant contribution to contemporary debates concerning the philosophy of physical geography.' - Alice Turkington, University of Kentucky, USA

'Scholarly, comprehensive, full of provocative observations and pertinent case-studies. This refreshing text should be consulted by anyone interested in the philosophy and practice of physical geography.' - Nick Spedding, Aberdeen University

'This text explores simply but rigorously the key philosophical issues of physical geography. It represents a book of critical importance to students of this discipline.'


- David Petley, University of Durham

From the Back Cover
This accessible and engaging text explores the relationship between philosophy, science and physical geography. It addresses an imbalance that exists in opinion, teaching and to a lesser extent research, between a philosophically enriched human geography and a perceived philosophically ignorant physical geography.

Science, Philosophy and Physical Geography, challenges the myth that there is a single self-evident scientific method, that can and is applied in a straightforward manner by physical geographers. It demonstrates the variety of alternative philosophical perspectives. Furthermore it emphasizes the difference that the real world geographical context and the geographer make to the study of environmental phenomenon. This includes a consideration of the dynamic relationship between human and physical geography. Finally, it demonstrates the relevance of philosophy for both an understanding of published material and for the design and implementation of studies in physical geography.

Key themes such as global warming, species and evolution and fluvial geomorphology are used to provide illustrations of key concepts in each chapter. Further reading is provided at the end of each chapter.

About the Author
Robert Inkpen is Senior Lecturer in Geography at the University of Portsmouth. He has published in a variety of research areas including the degradation of historic monuments, landslide hazards and the history of philosophy of physical geography.