Розвиток елементів порівняльного підходу в античній природничій географії

Abstract

At the current stage of scientific research development, the comparative approach, an efficient logical method of cognition of the Earth’s nature, does not lose its significance in the light of new and classic scientific methods, particularly in geography. The article presents the in-depth analysis of the origins and development of comparative approach in natural geography on the basis of national geographical sources. The researchers who applied comparative approach to their studies are also presented. The time intervals – stages of development of comparative approach in geography are defined. Two of them are considered – pre-antique and antique. Such periodization is based on time, because this approach has been developed and improved along with the development of physical-geographical ideas and knowledge. The stages of its development were defined on the basis of different, characteristic for them, logical features of comparative approach. Considering the various aspects, one can learn about various significant events during the various stages of developing of geographical sciences. The pre-antique stage of origin and the enriched development of the components of the comparative approach (stage 1) were characterized by all significant comparisons, and therefore comparisons, the content of which, in particular, even reached the idea of possible distant lands similar to the known ones. The beginnings of geospatial representations in our ancestors began to take shape at the dawn of human culture. On the background of the limited cognitive tools of ancient science, the comparative approach was distinguished by its capabilities and applications as one of the most effective in the then scientific and practical knowledge of the world.