A core text on the philosophy and theory of geography A module like philosophy/theory/history of geography is compulsory in most undergraduate degree programmes. Although the focus in these modules is usually on Human Geography, students of Physical Geography and Environmental Geography also have to take these modules. As well as providing an overview of the ideas The Foundations of Geographic Enquiry is written to be specifically accessible to – and used by – Human Geographers and Physical Geographers.

Written with flair and passion, A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought:

• Explains the key ideas: scientific realism, anti-realism and idealism / positivism / critical rationalism / Marxism and critical realism/ social constructionism and feminism / phenomenology and post-phenomenology / postmodernism and post-structuralism / complexity / moral philosophy.
• Uses examples that address both physical geography and human geography.
• Use a familiar and real-world example - ‘the beach’ - as an entry point to basic questions of philosophy, returning to this to illustrate and to explain the links between philosophy, theory, and methodology.

All chapters end with summaries and sources of further reading, a glossary explaining key terms, exercises with commentaries, and web resources of key articles from the journals Progress in Human Geography and Progress in Physical Geography. A Student′s Introduction to Geographical Thought is a completely accessible student A-Z of theory and practice for both human and physical geography.