The concept of 'environmental determinism' posits that human behavior and societal development are largely shaped by climatic and geographical conditions. This theory, popular in the 19th century, argued that temperate climates fostered industriousness and innovation, while tropical regions were associated with lethargy. However, modern scholarship has largely discredited this view, citing counterexamples such as the advanced civilizations of the Maya in tropical Mesoamerica. Critics also emphasize that environmental factors interact with cultural, historical, and technological variables, making simple causal links untenable. Instead, contemporary geography favors 'possibilism', which acknowledges environmental constraints but highlights human agency in adapting to and modifying the environment. This shift reflects a broader academic trend toward nuanced, multi-causal explanations.
❓ 本文によると、現代の学者が環境決定論を否定する主な理由は何か。
A. それは、気候が人間社会を形成する上での役割を無視している。
B. それは人間の創造性や文化的多様性を考慮に入れていない。
C. それは熱帯地域における技術的進歩を過度に強調している。
D. それは温帯地域からの証拠のみに基づいていた。
✅ 正确答案
It fails to account for human creativity and cultural variations.
IELTS Reading Tips
Skim the questions first, underline keywords, then locate in the passage
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