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Physical geographers’ understanding of the real world
Author(s) -
Slaymaker Olav
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
the canadian geographer / le géographe canadien
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.35
H-Index - 46
eISSN - 1541-0064
pISSN - 0008-3658
DOI - 10.1111/cag.12334
Subject(s) - logical positivism , critical realism (philosophy of perception) , positivism , epistemology , realism , philosophy of science , sociology , physical science , social science , philosophy
Key Messages In spite of the major successes of logical positivism in experimental science, the philosophy of positivism alone restricts physical geographers’ understanding of the real world. Roy Bhaskar's version of critical realism has the potential to expand physical geographers’ understanding of the real world. Critical realism can resolve the nature/culture binary and bring ethical concerns over systemic injustices into the purview of physical geography.