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Progress in Physical Geography

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Progress in Physical Geography

 

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Physical Geography

Physical Geography gets coined as a major component under the broad study of both natural and human-made features of the earth. The subject is a division of more astronomical topics, and it involves keen research and analysis of the planet and its constituents, such as land, environment, and water bodies (Baker, 2008). The essay below provides a detailed discussion of philosophical-based underpinnings associated with physical geography as explored by Baker (1996) and Baker (2008), respectively.

Summary of the Philosophical-based Underpinnings associated with Physical Geography explored by Baker (1996)

Victor R. Baker, in his considerable research, “The pragmatic roots of American Quaternary geology and geomorphology (Baker, 2003),” provided a very much serious argument into the study. According to Kale (2002), he affirmed that they keenly adhered to specialized methods that were highly influenced by analogical inspirations as they got fully committed to criticizing tactics while at the same time reviewing their hypotheses. He further said that they were highly doubtful of the limitations that existed in the theories that were present by then.

Again, he lamented that the methods that are defined in detail as per classical papers were ignorant of immense efforts made by the tradition of the American geographical philosophy, to which he even viewed as the origin.  Baker also argued that the traditional ways of thought involved the processes of testing and analysis of various hypotheses that do not solve the problems associated with the real-life situations in the world. His research had traced its origin from the pragmatic tradition, which he believed the incoming of science influenced that.

 

 

Summary of Arguments by Baker (2008)

In the year 2008, Baker took further steps to provide another analysis in research titled “The Spokane Flood debates” that this time relied on Bretz’s catastrophic flooding hypothesis. The theory was based on the need to establish real sources of Channeled Scrubland. A landscape that exists in Eastern Washington, which is located in the northwestern parts of the USA. Baker, therefore, analyzed to clarify Bretz’s contradicting ideas on the hypothesis behind the formulation of Spokane floods (Perry, 2002).

Analysis of the Physical Underpinnings of Baker (1996) and Baker 92008)

Physical geographers are among the essential elements that need to get accorded full recognition for their enormous contributions to the field.  Their hypotheses have provided clear understandings of features present on earth. Their established roles are enough to warrant them all the respect they deserve. Baker, in his 1996 argument, made reasonable arguments on the nature of the poor relationship that existed between the early philosophical geographers and the modern ones who relied highly on science and technology. He claimed that the latter had less concern about their pioneers, which caused a significant misunderstanding between them, thus challenging everyone to value physical geographers for their relevance.

Pragmatism is a natural geographical approach that strongly believes in theory as developed by a particular trusted individual in their decisions before attempting to research into a geological feature, according to Baker (2003). On the other hand, positivism involves idealistic approaches that opt for scientific applications to investigate matters of geological phenomena.  Physical geography employs pragmatic approaches since it focuses on individual theories that were already established to explain natural phenomena.

Multiple working hypotheses are essential in areas of physical geography that depict certain perceived features that are of interest but need further clarification to the researchers. On the contrary, Laub et al. (2012) acknowledged that outrageous hypotheses play critical roles in geomorphology, especially in circumstances that clearly show off the perceived characteristics. It is, therefore, suitable for well physical geographical features to which philosophers are in fewer doubts.

Evaluation and assessment of Physical Geography in Baker 1996 and Baker 2008

A bright look into arguments of Baker in 1996 and 2008 provides an even much better understanding of challenges that exist in the field of physical Geography. Physical Geography has made significant steps by moving away from Davis and Gilbert’s ideas that sought to criticize the incorporation of science into geological hypotheses.  The modern physical Geography provides adequate room for multiple working hypotheses before establishing defined conclusions on the reality of a particular subject feature.

Uniformitarianism is an essential element of the physical geography, but the effects of climate change can no longer favor its importance concerning the Anthropocene. The uniformitarianism and catastrophism debate is coming back. This step is because of science and environmental changes that call for reality.

Conclusion

Physical geography has had tremendous progress since the presence of Baker that provided detailed arguments deep into the subject in the years of 1996 and 2008, respectively. However, its appearance with relevant theories has elicited mixed reactions from philosophers that challenged some approaches towards various hypotheses. Most of their arguments dispute that science and technology need to be also accompanied in the thoughts for improved accuracies and elimination of any biases that could have influenced by the Geographers’ positions. Despite the arguments, the field has been growing and gained significant significance in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

Baker, A. R. (2003). Geography and history: bridging the divide (Vol. 36). Cambridge university press.

Baker, V. R. (2008). Paleoflood hydrology: Origin, progress, prospects. Geomorphology, 101(1-2), 1-13.

Kale, V. S. (2002). Fluvial geomorphology of Indian rivers: an overview. Progress in physical geography, 26(3), 400-433.

Laub, B. G., Baker, D. W., Bledsoe, B. P., & Palmer, M. A. (2012). Range of variability of channel complexity in urban, restored, and forested reference streams. Freshwater Biology, 57(5), 1076-1095.

Perry, G. L. (2002). Landscapes, space, and equilibrium: shifting viewpoints. Progress in Physical Geography, 26(3), 339-359.

 

 

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