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Naturalisation of Humans and Humanisation of Nature

This section explains the dynamic interaction between humans and their physical environment, mediated by technology. Initially, humans were naturalised, meaning they adapted to the dictates of nature due to limited technology and primitive social development. They depended directly on nature for resources, worshipped natural forces, and lived in harmony with the environment. This relationship is exemplified by the story of Benda, a member of a primitive tribe practicing shifting cultivation in the forests of central India. Benda's life is closely tied to the forest, which provides food, shelter, and spiritual sustenance. Such societies view nature as 'Mother Nature' and conserve it carefully. Over time, with social and cultural development, humans developed better technology and moved from a state of necessity to a state of freedom, creating cultural landscapes such as cities, farms, ports, and transport networks. This process is called humanisation of nature, where nature bears the imprints of human endeavour. The example of Kari from Trondheim illustrates how technology enables humans to overcome harsh natural conditions, such as severe winters, by using special tyres, heated buildings, imported tropical fruits, and global communication. Griffith Taylor's concept of neodeterminism or stop and go determinism offers a balanced view, suggesting that humans must obey environmental constraints ('stop' signals) but can proceed with development when conditions permit ('go' signals). This approach counters the extremes of environmental determinism and possibilism and highlights the need for sustainable interaction with the environment. The section also introduces different schools of thought in human geography: the welfare or humanistic school focuses on social well-being aspects like housing and health; the radical school uses Marxian theory to analyze poverty and social inequality; and the behavioral school emphasizes lived experience and spatial perception based on ethnicity, race, and religion. These perspectives enrich the understanding of human geography's scope and approach.

📊 Diagram: Illustrations include the depiction of primitive tribal life in forests and modern urban life in cold climates, showing technological adaptations such as heated buildings and transport networks.

🧪 Activity: Students are encouraged to read about primitive societies and understand their relationship with nature, reflecting on the concept of naturalisation and humanisation.

🔗 Connection: This section prepares the learner to explore the fields and sub-fields of human geography, showing the diverse ways humans interact with their environment.