Abstract

Papers are included which focus on humanist geography, specifically the theoretical, methodological, and empirical implications of humanist perspectives for the study of human-environmental relations and the implications of the concern for these relations for humanist theory, method, and questions. Individual foci, defined by each author of the included papers, are: (1) "Geography as a Humanist Enterprise" (Leonard Guelke), arguing that the credibility and the survival of geography as a scholarly discipline depends upon a clear disciplinary framework within which analysis can proceed; (2) "Problems with the New Humanism" (Edward Relph), arguing against a narrow rationalism, but also against uncritical acceptance of humanism; (3) "Humanist Geography: Some Unsystematic Critical Thoughts" (James Lemon), arguing against the concept of humanist geography because of its concern with language and method; (4) "Humanist Political Geography?" (David B. Knight), addressing political geography, combining autobiography and assessment of literature to explore the relation between humanist geographers and geographies; (5) "A Theological Perspective on Humanist Geography" (Iain Wallace), discussing Christian theology as a foundation for humanism, and the relation between this and other forms of humanism; (6) "Geographical Semiotics: A Bridge between Humanism and Science" (Elaine M. Bjorklund), suggesting semiotics as a bridge between humanism and science and discussing the processes by which human beings construct mental models; (7) "Humanism, Geography, and Language" (Audrey Kobayashi), arguing for the necessity of a theory of language to give geographical humanism political soundness; and (8) "Humanism as Science/Science in Humanism: Towards Integration in the Practice of Social Geography" (Robin A. Kearns), addressing the bridging of science and humanism. A postscript provides a defense and related concepts: "Human Environment" (Suzanne Mackenzie). References accompany most of the papers. (AEM)