Carl Ritter's early geographic thought (1779-1817)
The German geographer Carl Ritter (1779-1859) created a new geographical science by applying the logical structure of eighteenth-century German educational psychology to the encyclopedic body of existing geographical knowledge. He expanded the domain of Geography by including physical deterministic forces to explain cultural variation, and applied historical linguistic analysis to derive useful information from classical, medievel and contemporary geographic texts. His general comparative methodology is not well understood by geographers today because his logical diction is unfamiliar. His scientific vocabulary is adopted from eighteenth-century theories of knowledge (Erkennmistheorie), especially brightness theory (Helligkeitstheorie). The sources of Ritter's pedagogic and scientific thought include: the Salzmann Institute in Schnepfenthal where he was educated in accordance with the principles of Rousseau and Basedow; Halle University where he studied Kantian logic, Leibniz-Wolffian aesthetics, and the new logical foundations of natural science, philology and pedagogy; and his own independent study as a private tutor in Frankfurt-am-Main where he deepened his knowledge of science and pedagogy by discussions
Boettcher, Walter Eric
History
Carl Ritter's early geographic thought (1779-1817). The German geographer Carl Ritter (1779-1859) created a new geographical science by applying the logical structure of eighteenth-century German educational psychology to the encyclopedic body of existing geographical knowledge. He expanded the domain of Geography by including physical deterministic forces to explain cultural variation, and applied historical linguistic analysis to derive useful information from classical, medievel and contemporary geographic texts. His general comparative methodology is not well understood by geographers today because his logical diction is unfamiliar. His scientific vocabulary is adopted from eighteenth-century theories of knowledge (Erkennmistheorie), especially brightness theory (Helligkeitstheorie). The sources of Ritter's pedagogic and scientific thought include: the Salzmann Institute in Schnepfenthal where he was educated in accordance with the principles of Rousseau and Basedow; Halle University where he studied Kantian logic, Leibniz-Wolffian aesthetics, and the new logical foundations of natural science, philology and pedagogy; and his own independent study as a private tutor in Frankfurt-am-Main where he deepened his knowledge of science and pedagogy by discussions
early geographic thought german geographer create_new geographical science apply logical_structure eighteenth_century german educational psychology body exist geographical knowledge expand domain geography include physical deterministic force explain cultural variation applied historical linguistic_analysis derive useful information classical contemporary geographic text general comparative well_understood geographer today logical unfamiliar scientific vocabulary adopt eighteenth_century theory_knowledge especially theory source pedagogic scientific think include institute educate accordance principle rousseau university study kantian logic leibniz aesthetic new logical foundation natural_science philology pedagogy independent study private tutor frankfurt main deepen knowledge science pedagogy discussion