POSSIBILISM Meaning and
Definition
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Possibilism is a concept in geography and human ecology that contends that the environment provides a range of possibilities or potentials for human development and action, but ultimately it is human agency and decision-making that shape the extent to which those possibilities are realized. In other words, possibilism argues that humans have the ability to choose and adapt to different environmental conditions, rather than being solely determined by the natural environment.
This approach asserts that human beings are not passive recipients of their surroundings, but active agents who can modify their environment to suit their needs and desires. It acknowledges that the natural environment sets certain constraints and limitations, but emphasizes that humans have the capacity and ingenuity to overcome or work with these constraints.
Possibilism challenges the deterministic view of environmental determinism, which posits that human behavior is heavily influenced and exclusively determined by physical geography and climatic factors. Instead, possibilism recognizes that cultural, social, political, and economic factors also play a significant role in shaping human activity and development.
Moreover, possibilism emphasizes the role of technology, innovation, and human adaptation in creating new possibilities for human settlement and development. It recognizes that advancements in technology and knowledge enable humans to transcend natural limitations and embark on new endeavors.
Overall, possibilism underscores the interplay between the environment, human agency, and decision-making processes, highlighting the active role of humans in shaping their own lives and environments.
Common Misspellings for POSSIBILISM
- possibilis
- oossibilism
- lossibilism
- -ossibilism
- 0ossibilism
- pissibilism
- pkssibilism
- plssibilism
- ppssibilism
- p0ssibilism
- p9ssibilism
- poasibilism
- pozsibilism
- poxsibilism
- podsibilism
- poesibilism
- powsibilism
- posaibilism
- poszibilism
- posxibilism
Etymology of POSSIBILISM
The word "possibilism" is derived from the term "possibility" which ultimately comes from the Latin word "possibilitas". The Latin word "possibilitas" is derived from the verb "posse", which means "to be able" or "to have power". The suffix "-ism" is added to denote a belief system or a doctrine. Hence, "possibilism" refers to the doctrine or belief in the existence of possibilities or the acceptance of multiple possibilities in a given situation.
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