The Target of Space and the Arrow of Time

Abstract

Changes in a discipline take place over time, the philosophy of which geographers:need to study for three main reasons: without time space is static; consideration of time helps to throw light on any basic differences between physical and human geography; and also because geographers, like everyone else, appear to be dragged along by their own concept-the arrow of time. If time is related to the growth of physical entropy, we have to consider how this accords with increasing information ( = increasing order) with time. Also involving time are cause followed by effect, and the modern version of teleology where goals precede action. Discussion of open-ended time (ways of predicting the future) is succeeded by consideration of open-ended space where a region is affected by influences mediated via gateway cities. A unity of approach given by the hypothetico-deductive sequence is postulated, involving decisions before their projections on to space and hypotheses before theory-laden observations. Following the work of the philosopher Davidson, an attempt is made to retain freedom within a scientific human geography. Finally, it is argued that geography shares in a common basic methodology of the arts and sciences, coping with change by continuous comparative appraisal of theories and ideas all on probation.