Difference Between Determinism and Possibilism

Determinism is a controversial concept in human geography, some geographers have argued in favor of determinism, believing that environmental factors play a crucial role in shaping human societies. For example, human settlements in cold regions adopt the lifestyle to protect themselves from the cold waves (a fore of nature) in order to survive.  Here are some geographers who have supported determinism:

Ellsworth Huntington: Ellsworth Huntington was an American geographer who believed that climate was the primary determinant of human history and civilization. He argued that the environment had a direct impact on human biology, which in turn shaped cultural and societal practices.

Jared Diamond: Jared Diamond is a contemporary geographer who has argued in favor of environmental determinism. He believes that geographical and environmental factors have had a significant impact on human history and culture, shaping the development of different societies over time.

Friedrich Ratzel: Friedrich Ratzel was a German geographer who believed that the physical environment played a fundamental role in shaping human societies. He argued that environmental factors such as climate, topography, and natural resources were the key determinants of human history and culture.

Determinism is a philosophical belief that all events and actions are determined by preceding events or causes. There are several types of determinism, each with its own approach to the concept of causality.

1. Causal Determinism: Causal determinism asserts that all events are caused by preceding events and that the universe is a chain of cause-and-effect relationships. This means that every event is predetermined by the events that preceded it.
2. Logical Determinism: Logical determinism holds that all events are predetermined by the laws of logic. This means that everything that happens in the universe is determined by the logical relationships between things.
3. Theological Determinism:  Theological determinism is the belief that God or a divine being has predetermined all events and actions in the universe. This view asserts that all events are part of a divine plan or purpose.
4. Biological Determinism: Biological determinism suggests that human behavior and actions are determined by biological factors, such as genetics or brain chemistry. This view implies that human actions and choices are predetermined by their biology and that free will is an illusion.
5. Environmental Determinism: Environmental determinism asserts that human behavior and culture are determined by environmental factors such as climate, geography, and natural resources. This view argues that the physical environment of a place determines the cultural and social practices of the people who live there.

Possibilism is a philosophical belief that humans have the ability to overcome environmental limitations through technology and innovation. Many geographers argue that human societies have agency and can actively shape their environment, rather than being completely determined by it. Here are some geographers who have supported the Possibilism:

Paul Vidal de la Blache: Paul Vidal de la Blache was a French geographer who argued that human societies were not completely determined by their environment. He believed that humans had the ability to shape their surroundings and adapt to their needs through agriculture, technology, and social organization.

Carl Sauer: Carl Sauer was an American geographer who believed that human societies were not determined by environmental factors alone. He argued that humans actively transformed their environment through agriculture and settlement, shaping the landscape to meet their needs.

Yi-Fu Tuan: Yi-Fu Tuan is a contemporary geographer who has advocated for a more humanistic and subjective approach to geography. He believes that humans have agency and can shape their environment, but also recognizes that cultural and social factors play a significant role in human-environment interaction.

Difference Between Determinism and Possibilism

	Determinism	Possibilism
Definition	All events and actions are determined by preceding events or causes.	Humans have the ability to overcome environmental limitations through technology and innovation.
Role of Environment	The environment is the primary determinant of human history and culture.	The environment is a limiting factor, but humans have agency and can shape their environment to meet their needs.
Human Agency	Human agency is limited by environmental factors.	Humans have agency and can actively shape their environment.
Approach	Environmental determinism	Environmental Possibilism
Examples	Ellsworth Huntington, Jared Diamond, Friedrich Ratzel	Paul Vidal de la Blache, Carl Sauer, Yi-Fu Tuan

What is Neo-Determinism? 

Neo-determinism, also known as probabilistic determinism, is a modernized form of environmental determinism that acknowledges the role of human agency in shaping society but still emphasizes the importance of environmental factors in determining human behavior.