DEPT OF GEOGRAPHY AND

RURAL DEVELOPMENT, KNUST

GEOG 253: THEORY AND
PRACTICE OF GEOGRAPHY
PPT LECTURE NOTES
POSITIVISM IN GEOGRAPHY

SETH AGYEMANG, PhD

INTRODUCTION
• Positivism refers to the application of
natural sciences principles of
investigation to the social sciences.
• Positivism in geography refers to the
application of positivist or natural
science principles and methods to the
study of geography.
• Positivism emphasizes the use of
scientific methods, empirical
observation, and quantitative data to
understand and explain geographical
phenomena.
 Assumptions of Positivism

• Positivism assumes that phenomena are

measurable using the principles of the
scientific method.
• It also assumes that human behaviour is a
reaction to external stimuli.
• That it is possible to observe and measure
social phenomena using the principles of the
natural and physical sciences.
• Laws govern social phenomena, and these
laws can be discovered following the
principles of the scientific methods.
• Geography can and should be studied with the
same methods as found in the natural
sciences.
Origin

• Positivism began in the 19th century, primarily through the work

of French philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-1857). His work
laid the foundation for the development of positivist thought in
various fields such as science, philosophy, and social sciences.
• Comte himself was influenced by Enlightenment thinkers such
as René Descartes, John Locke, and Immanuel Kant, who
emphasized the use of reason and empirical observation to
understand the world.
• The scientific revolution of the 17th century, led by scholars like
Galileo and Isaac Newton, showed the power of empirical
observation and experimentation in understanding the natural
world.
• The emphasis of the French Revolution (1789-1799) on reason,
science, and progress also influenced Comte's thought.
• Comte believed that there should be a science of social relations
(called sociology) that should be developed on the same
principles as the natural sciences.
Comte's positivist philosophy:

• Law of three stages: Comte held that

human knowledge and society develop
through three stages: theological,
metaphysical, and positive.
• In the positive stage, knowledge is
derived from observation,
experimentation, and the use of
scientific methods.
• He believed that positivism could be
used to reform society and create a
more rational and just social order.
Entry into geography
• Positivism entered geography in the late
19th and early 20th centuries, influenced by
the broader intellectual and scientific trends
of the time.
• Five pathways of positivism in geography.
• 1. The early influences:
- Alexander von Humboldt—he emphasized
the importance of empirical observation and
scientific methods in geography.
-Carl Ritter-developed the concept of
"comparative geography," which involved
comparing and contrasting different
geographical regions.
Entry into geography
• 2. In the late 19th century, positivism influenced
geographical thought through:
-Paul Vidal de la Blache-French geographer who
advocated for a more scientific approach to geography,
emphasizing the importance of observation,
experimentation, and empirical data.
-W.M. Davis-American geographer who developed the
concept of "geomorphology," which emphasized the study
of landforms and landscapes using scientific methods.
• 3. In the 1950s and 1960s, the quantitative revolution in
geography, led by geographers such as William Garrison,
Duane Marble, and Richard Morrill, emphasized the use
of statistical analysis, mathematical modeling, and
computer simulations to study geographical phenomena.
• 4. Spatial analysis: The development of spatial analysis
and geographic information systems (GIS) further
solidified positivism's influence in geography.
Entry into geography
• ‘The Nature of Geography’ by Richard
Hartshorne (1939) argued for a more scientific
and systematic approach to geography.
• ‘The Quantitative Revolution in Geography’-
edited by William Garrison and Duane Marble
(1959) marked the beginning of the
quantitative revolution in geography.
Key principles of Positivism
• Empiricism: Geographical knowledge should be
based on empirical observation,
experimentation, and analysis of data.
• Objectivity: In the search for knowledge and
explanation about phenomena, geographers
should be objective and unbiased in their
approach.
• Quantification: Since phenomena is
measurable and quantifiable, geographers
should use quantitative methods and statistical
analysis to understand and explain
geographical phenomena.
• Universalism: Geographical principles and laws
are universal and apply everywhere.
Principles (cont)
• The unity of science. Science is
united by a common methodological
approach which is applicable in all
aspects.
• Determinism: Geographical phenomena
are determined by underlying laws and
processes, which can be discovered
through scientific inquiry.
• Falsifiability: Geographical knowledge,
hypotheses and theories must be testable
or falsifiable with evidence through
observation and experimentation.
Impact on geography:
• Positivism has significantly impacted the
development of geography as a discipline.
• Increased emphasis on scientific methods:
Positivism led to a greater emphasis on scientific
methods, empirical observation, and quantitative
data in geography.
• Development of new techniques and technologies:
Positivism drove the development of new techniques
and technologies, such as spatial analysis and GIS.
• Critiques of traditional geography: Positivism led to
critiques of traditional geography, which was seen
as being too descriptive and lacking in scientific
rigor.
• Quantitative revolution: The adoption of quantitative
methods and statistical analysis in geography, which
transformed the discipline in the mid-20th century.
Impact on geography:
• In physical geography, the study of physical
geographical processes such as climate,
hydrology, and geomorphology, became much
enhanced with the use of positivist methods.
• Positivism has also introduced more objectivity
and rigor into geography.
• Through positivist advocacy, quantitative
approaches to data collection such as
experimentations, questionnaires,
measurements, etc have been incorporated
into geography, alongside more accurate
methods of analysis such as modelling
techniques, inferential statistics, regression,
etc.
Criticisms and limitations:

• Oversimplification: Positivist approaches tend to

oversimplify complex geographical phenomena.
• Lack of context: Positivist methods neglect the social,
cultural, and historical context of geographical
phenomena.
• Determinism: Positivist approaches can be overly
deterministic, neglecting the role of human agency and
uncertainty. It also ignores people’s subjective
experiences and the meaning of an action or behaviour
to the actors.
• Belief in the unity of science is unrealistic, and social
science variables may not be properly studied using
natural science principles.
• Contrary to the positivist stance, not all geographic
phenomena and processes can be measured or
quantified, and attempts to do so may only lead to
incorrect conclusions.
THANK YOU