Hegelian geographical determinism

Abstract

G.W.F. Hegels philosophy of history has a pronounced geographical profile. The hegelian geographical determinism develops the spontaneous materialism of J.G. Herders philosophy of history and emphasizes the role of the element of the sea as a factor of the universality of history. In accordance with the three main geographical moments of world history plateaus, river plains and sea coasts G.W.F. Hegel identifies and characterizes three types of social life based on cattle breeding, agriculture (with industry), merchant shipping. The methodological strategy of geographical determinism is relevant for socio-cultural studies of anthroposociogenesis and the logic of national cultures.