environmental determinism的意思|示意

《Environmental Determinism》

Environmental determinism, also known as climatic determinism or geographical determinism, is a theory that attempts to explain the physical, cultural and psychological traits of a particular region or population based on the local environment and climatic conditions. It is a theory that suggests that environmental factors are primary determinants of human behavior.

The idea of environmental determinism dates back to the early 19th century, when the French geographer Jean-Baptiste Lamarck proposed that the physical environment shapes the development of a population. He wrote that “the character of a region is determined by the nature of its soil, the action of its climate, and the distribution of its plants and animals.” This view is often referred to as Lamarckism.

In the early 20th century, the German geographer Friedrich Ratzel and the American geographer Ellen Churchill Semple developed a more modern interpretation of environmental determinism. Ratzel was strongly influenced by Charles Darwin's theory of evolution, and Semple by the work of the American geographer William Morris Davis. They both believed that the physical environment was a major determinant of human behavior and cultural development.

The environmental determinism theory is still prevalent today, but it is widely criticized for oversimplifying the complexities of human behavior and cultural development, and for disregarding the influences of other factors such as political, economic, and social conditions. Additionally, environmental determinism can lead to biased conclusions if interpreted without considering the socio-political and cultural nuances of a region.

Despite its limitations, environmental determinism remains an important and useful tool for understanding the influence of our natural environment on human behavior, for predicting the impacts of global climate change, and for the better management of biological resources.