Geographic determinism

The term "determinism" has a Latin origin: "determinatio" means "conditioning", "definition." Using this word, as a rule, they mean the ability of some to begin to define others. Thus, for example, the axioms present in a logical theory determine the theorems to be derived. Or, for example, the causes are able to determine the consequences coming from them. From this point of view, there is a close relationship of conditioning with different justifications. There are different types of determinism: rigid, probabilistic, definitive, and others.

Many thinkers in one form or another raised the question of the influence of environmental factors on the flow of life in society. In this case, determinism in philosophy developed under the conditions of the transition of social and philosophical thought from the comparison of nature and society in the global sense to the study of the impact of specific environmental factors (relief, natural resources, climate and other) on certain phenomena and processes in society (political structure, productivity Forces, population growth, etc.).

Reflecting on the significance of environmental factors, thinkers came to two logical extremes. One of them is mechanical geographic determinism. According to him, all the activities of people are conditioned only by their natural environment. The second extreme is absolutely cultural determinism. In this case, it was stressed that the perception of the environment as such, as well as its significance for society is determined exclusively by culture. Thus, the explanation of human activity should only be culturological. However, this did not take into account the fact that cultural opportunities are also dependent on natural conditions.

Geographic determinism has been widely recognized since the beginning of the second half of the 19th century. The prototype of the theory was the Darwinian doctrine of natural selection. Geographical determinism in that era was quite clearly substantiated from the point of view of natural science. One of the positive moments of the development of the theory in that period was attention to human ecology and population distribution in the territory. In this, some authors see the beginnings of modern science - social ecology.

Geographic determinism was widespread and popularized thanks to the theory of Mechnikov. The Russian thinker, when presenting the basic postulates of his historiosophical conception, mainly addressed the analysis of the question of human freedom, since it was in his opinion that it determined the character of human civilization.

Many of the ideas expressed by Mechnikov are in tune with the ideas of Marx. The latter believed that the homeland of capital was a moderate, and not a tropical belt, and the natural division of labor is based on the differentiation of soil and the variety of natural products, and not on the absolute fertility of the earth. At the same time, Marx believed that natural conditions are only an opportunity to obtain a surplus product, and not create it on their own. Thus, according to Marx's concept, natural conditions were associated with material production, and the influence of these conditions on people's activities was considered through the prism of the production process.

Returning to the historiosophical theory of Mechnikov, it should be noted that the thinker considered the great rivers the main factor that determined the very origin and subsequent development of civilization. The thinker wrote that different cultures had strong differences due to isolation from each other.

Carrying out a comparative analysis of the culture of the Ancient East and the West, Mechnikov came to the conclusion that the West is superior in all respects to the East. This, according to the thinker, was due to the geographical advantages of the western territories.