Cultural/humanistic geography

A review of recent activity in cultural and humanistic geography can produce several subdisciplinary snapshots. While one photo might emphasize the epistemological and methodological diversity in this traditionally eclectic en-deavour and, based upon this, reach the usual conclusions tolerantly acceptant of this pluralism, another- albeit a snapshot not as clearly focused, thus blurred and and imperfect in some ways- shows hints of intellectual covergence and coalescence appropriate to a postpositivistic social science. To probe this second view, sampled material is sorted into broad categories of varied philosophical approaches (empiricist, humanistic and structuralist; for elaboration, see John-ston, 1986) to facilitate discussion of method and theory. While most recent activity of significance within cultural/humanistic geography is referenced herein, this review remains primarily a personal text and tour resulting from the author’s involvements, interests and curiosities in the subfield. I The empirical tradition, past and present Although empiricism is usually linked with positivism in human geography, ther