Question

Differentiate between:

Determinism and Possibilism

Answer 1

	Determinism	Possibilism
1.	The approach to studying geography that considers nature to be the supreme and that it dominates man is known as the approach of determinism.	The approach to study geography, which considers that man is the supreme and that he dominates nature, is known as the approach of possibilism.
2.	Geographers following the approach/philosophy/school of thought of determinism are of the opinion that nature is supreme, and man has to survive within the limits set by nature.	Geographers following the approach/ philosophy /school of thought of possibilism are of the opinion that man is the supreme, man can use nature the way he wants, can overcome the limits set by nature, and can shape his life the way he wants.
3.	The following are some of the justifications for determinism: Certain limitations on human efficiency, intelligence, and skills. Loss of lives and property caused by natural calamities like floods, droughts, fires, landslides, earthquakes, tsunamis, pandemics, etc.	The following are some of the justifications for the possibilism: The progress made by man in various fields with his efficiency, intelligence, and skills. Various changes made by man to overcome natural hurdles for shaping his life. For example, cutting down the tunnels, sea link roads across the sea, development of hybrid seeds, the technique of cloud seeding for artificial precipitation, developing vaccines to control pandemics, etc.