Environmental Determinism and Your Personal Values

By Sydney Cohen

Environmental determinism is a study within the field of social science, particularly studied in sociology and anthropology. It examines the way that the physical environment predisposes states and societies to particular socio-cultural development trajectories. Environmental determinism suggests that people are not born with predetermined traits or personalities – but rather they develop according to their physical geography. Developed in the late 20th century by Ian Morris, Jeffrey Herbst, Jared Diamond, and other social scientists and scholars, the theory of environmental determinism has revolutionized the way we observe different human cultures, human societies, and human behavior, through a geographical lens.

Does Environmental Determinism Support or Reject Racism?

The study of environmental determinism also informs us of the way environmental factors and physical geography influence the economic and social development of societies, and the creation of institutions. While many scholars believe this method of thought is used to support and perpetuate Eurocentrism and colonialism, degrading and dehumanizing non-Western societies and cultures, modern scholars like Diamond, however, have argued that this approach actually rejects racism.

The History of Environmental Determinism

Ideas of environmental determinism have been around since the time of Ancient Greece, Ancient China, and Ancient Rome. However, these theories suggested that “environmental features completely determined the physical and intellectual qualities of whole societies.” Specifically, in Ancient Greece, Hippocrates tried to explain why people from different regions of Greece had different skin colors. He argued that their geographic environment was responsible for this difference in color, and theorized that Greeks living closer to the sea would have lighter skin because they were exposed to more sunlight than those living inland.

Medieval Middle Eastern writers also had similar ideas of environmental determinism. Afro-Arab author, Al-Jahiz, believed that the water, soil, and heat of a geographic environment determined the skin color of its population and livestock. Likewise, Arab polymath and sociologist, Ibn Khaldun, also linked skin color to climate. However, many of Ibn Khaldun’s writings were believed at the time to advance the colonialist agenda.

Even well-known American figures, such as Thomas Jefferson, used environmental determinism to justify colonialism and slavery, perpetuating racist propaganda. We now know these theories are not true, but it does show how deeply rooted environmental determinism is in history. Fortunately, many modern social scientists have critiqued classic environmental determinism as lacking scientific evidence. They’ve acknowledged its use in the encouragement of racism and colonialism, and have worked to reshape the application of the theory.

Is Economic Development due to Environmental Determinism?

Environmental determinism is one of many theories that try to explain why some countries are more economically developed than others. One theory is that the geographic environment in which a country exists can determine its economic development level. Environmental determinism suggests the physical environment has a significant and direct effect on social, political, and economic patterns of life within a given society. If this idea were true, then it would be possible for one society to change their environmental conditions through changes in technology or other methods so as to improve their economy.

Historians have noted that coastal societies generally trend to be more successful with trade and productivity than those that are landlocked. This is noted by the population densities and average incomes on coastlines compared to populations that are not. Inland terrains that are rugged and harsh typically have smaller populations and generate lower incomes. However, landlocked areas with fertile soil, access to rivers and other inland waterways, and ecological systems suited for crops like grains and rice can contribute to denser inland populations.

Environmental Determinism Is Affected by Climate Change

The climate of a terrain also plays a huge role in the thriving of the cultures and societies in that area. Unfortunately, climate change is shifting the function of many societies that have historically relied on their geographic environment for their livelihood.

Environmental Determinism in Alaska

Many indigenous cultures rely on the land for their livelihood. An example of how climate change and environmental determinism work in conjunction to shape a society is in Shishmaref, Alaska. Shishmaref is an Inupiat village that has resided in its present location on Sarichef Island for over 4,000 years. As you can imagine, in the early times of hunting and gathering, the people of Shishmaref heavily relied on the land’s natural resources and wildlife, and a subsistence lifestyle is an important cultural aspect to them. They have historically fed and continue to feed on the natural sea mammals there, such as seals, walruses, fish, and birds. Their culture includes many preparation rituals for the meat they consume, as well as using animal bones and leftovers to create art.

However, climate change has made an immense impact on the livelihood of the Inupiat people. Rising sea levels, sea ice loss, and coastal soil erosion as a result of climate change have made it very hard for Shishmaref to maintain their lifestyle and practices. Now, the Inupiat people face the difficult decision of continuing to live with the challenges of upholding their cultural practices and livelihood or choosing to migrate inland where they face fewer environmental challenges. This is an example of environmental determinism that illustrates the way that a society’s function and practices, embedded in and shaped by its physical geography, is altered as a result of global warming and climate change.

Environmental Determinism in Haiti

Environmental determinism has many applications outside of understanding its effect on a society’s economic development and income generation, though these topics frequently connect. Environmental determinism can be applied to education, as the way students are raised and the schools they attend will affect what they learn in school. It can also be applied to business, where entrepreneurs who don’t have access to capital or resources may never get off the ground because of a lack of opportunity.

A Harvard article outlines the relationship between the geographic environment and the sociocultural organization of people. It also examines the impacts of environmental determinism, and how a change in a geographic environment has effects on a society’s culture. The article summarizes Oliver Smith’s account of Haiti, post-2010 earthquake, and how the region has historically been predisposed to vulnerability. Most of Haiti’s vulnerability results from a long history of exploitation, capitalism, and colonialism.

Smith recounts: “A lack of building codes, together with informal settlements, widespread undernourishment and hunger, disease, poor access to clean water or electricity, inadequate educational and health facilities and services at the national and municipal levels, and crime and corruption led to the construction of extreme vulnerability. In addition, Haitians were largely unaware of the seismic risk on the island, although seismologists had been warning of the possibility of a strong earthquake.”

An Important Example of Environmental Determinism

Haiti’s predisposition to vulnerability given its history resulted in the devastating aftermath after the horrific earthquake. This is an example of environmental determinism in the way that a society’s organization was not equipped nor prepared to deal with a catastrophic natural disaster, and ultimately collapsed into further poverty.

Environmental Determinism and its Relevance Today

The theory of environmental determinism is more nuanced than it may seem at first glance. With the recent rise of globalization, it is important to understand how environmental determinism impacts society. While the original concept was used to justify colonialist and racist behavior, there has been a recent push from anthropology and sociology to change how this idea can be applied in order for it to be relevant today.

Understanding the origins of cultural practices has never been more important. The environmental determinism theory can help us understand how geography and culture intersect to create a society’s socio-cultural organization, which is why it’s essential that we take this theory into consideration when evaluating our political landscape today. We must remember that not all societies are created equal – their social systems are often dictated by geographical constraints such as different climates or varying regional natural resources. With this in mind, should we be surprised if some countries have developed democracies while others still struggle?

Are your values affected by Environmental Determinism?

The knowledge in this blog post will equip you with a deeper understanding of the relationship between geographic environment and societal structure, and you might be prompted to explore where your own values come from. In conclusion, while we cannot ignore that our environment does have an impact on our culture, we should not let ourselves believe that this means one society’s practices are better or worse than those of another.

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