Compare the ideas of Carl Sauer in his specific idelogical view Essay

Compare the ideas of Carl Sauer in his specific idelogical view Thinking Geographically Space theory and contemporary human geography Hubbard Kitchin et al to - Essay Example Thus, Sauer helped to establish many of the academic structures of present day geographical studies as well as link the importance of all of these studies in an effort to achieve better understanding among students in sharp contrast from the rather unschooled, strictly physical approaches to the science that had gone before him. In bringing forth these ideas, Sauer differed greatly from his predecessors, such as David Livingstone, who explored geography on a purely physical plain. Livingstone conducted his explorations during what is considered the new imperial age of exploration in which was seen great expansion of territories and ideas. In his world, the goals of exploration were quite different from the academic pursuits for understanding of Sauer’s time, serving to validate European held beliefs that expounded the idea of an organized universe and serving to claim new lands for God and crown. Based on their ideas of universal hierarchy, which was further supported by the ideas of Social Darwinism, it was believed the cultures of Europe had seen much higher advancement than those of Africa. Rather than seeking to learn about the cultures and people they came across, Livingstone and others sought instead to convert them, saving their souls and teaching them the ‘right’ way to live, the reby losing much of the advantages to interaction, in terms of information regarding the physical landscape as well as a means of learning about their ancient stories and cultures. Modern geographers such as Harry Kitchen, on the other hand, have taken to segregating their studies into various fields such as economics and physical geography, but yet have continued to draw out the linkages between these fields. In writing about the geography of Canada, Kitchen is careful to enumerate the physical geography of the provinces as well as the economic challenges this