Abstract:Based upon observations and experiences, and according to axioms and the principles of logical induction, the positivist research on man-earth relationship aims to establish the laws, models, theories, and methodologies. The rigorous scientific approaches to positivism greatly raise the level of man-earth relationship research. In the positivist research on global man-earth relationship, there are two groups of scientists, i. e. pessimists and optimists. The theories of the former include Neo-Malthusism and Entropy Theory, and those of the latter involve the theories of historical reasoning, market response and dissipation structure. The theory of sustainable development combines the reasonable essences of the both into one, and becomes not only the theory identified by the whole world but also the program towards global man-earth system optimization. Now it is guiding series international scientific activities which are related with man-earth relationship research at the global scale. This article introduces and evaluates the positivist theories and methodologies above mentioned.
蔡运龙. 人地关系研究范型:全球实证[J]. 人文地理, 1996, 11(3): 3-8.
Cai Yunlong. A PARADIGM OF THE RESEARCH ON MAN-EARTH RELATIONSHIP: GLOBAL POSITIVIST STUDY. HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, 1996, 11(3): 3-8.