Which does NOT show dualism in geography?
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 4
The correct answer is Option (4) → Chronology Vs Description
Dualism in geography means the old debates between two opposite views of how geography should be studied.
Option (1) Regional Vs systematic — Shows dualism. Geographers debated whether the subject should be studied region by region or topic by topic (systematic).
Option (2) Physical Vs Human — Shows dualism. The division of geography into physical and human is a dichotomy. It is not a very valid one, as nature and humans cannot be separated.
Option (3) Idiographic Vs nomothetic — Shows dualism. Geographers debated whether geography should make laws and theories (nomothetic) or describe places (idiographic).
Option (4) Chronology Vs Description — Does not show dualism. There is no such debate in geography.
NCERT (2026-27): “You are already aware of the fact that the core concern of geography as a discipline is to understand the earth as home of human beings and to study all those elements which have sustained them. Thus, emphasis is on study of nature and human beings. You will realise that geography got subjected to dualism and the wide-ranging debates started whether geography as a discipline should be a law making/theorising (nomothetic) or descriptive (idiographic). Whether its subject matter should be organised and approach of the study should be regional or systematic? Whether geographical phenomena be interpreted theoretically or through historic-institutional approach? These have been issues for intellectual exercise but finally you will appreciate that the dichotomy between physical and human is not a very valid one because nature and human are inseparable elements and should be seen holistically.” |