Common Themes in the Work of Gilbert White and John Dewey: A Pragmatic Appraisal

Abstract

Gilbert White has had a profound influence on natural resources and hazards research, but the philosophy that guides his work has not been clearly defined. White's approach has broad affinities with the pragmatic tradition of American social thought, most notably with the work of john Dewey. This paper compares four major themes in the work of White and Dewey: the precariousness of existence, the pragmatic conception of inquiry, learning from experience, and discourse and democracy. For each theme, I show how similarities and differences between White and Dewey can help to clarify controversies within geography, and directions for future research.

Key Words:

• pragmatism
• resources
• hazards
• environment
• Gilbert White
• John Dewey