超越地理学二元性:混合地理学的思考

Beyond binaries: Reflections on hybrid geographies

20世纪的地理学经历了"空间—分析"地理学和"社会—文化"地理学的分裂,对学科的发展带来了持久的影响。本文从历史角度探究"空间—分析"地理学和"社会—文化"地理学分裂的原因,提出保持地理学观点的多样性、促进不同领域的沟通是地理学学科发展的理性选择。在实现"空间—分析"地理学与"社会—文化"地理学沟通的方式方面,地理学认识论与研究方法之间并不存在一一对应的关系,定量方法与定性方法可以在不同领域中混合使用,从而实现对社会—理论与空间—分析隔阂的超越。本文阐释了"混合性"的理念在超越地理学社会—文化/空间—分析二元性中所具备的潜质,并简要总结了混合地理学已有的研究实践,对以"混合性"为基础、面向"后社会—理论、后空间—分析"的地理学未来进行了展望。

In the last century, geography as a discipline has witnessed a rift between spatial-analytical geogra- phies and social-cultural geographies, resulting in lasting effect on the discipline. In this article, I explore how the social-theory/spatial-analysis split in geography arose. I argue that, instead of insisting on a unitary identity for the discipline, forging productive relations between different traditions, specialties and subfields seems to be a more viable strategy for enhancing the status of geography. I consider some possibilities for reconnecting so- cial-cultural and spatial-analytical geographies by revisiting the relations between epistemology and method in geography. I suggest that there can be both positivist and non-positivist use of quantitative/GIS-based spatial analysis and qualitative methods, which makes the mixed-use of the two methods possible. Then I examine the notion of hybridity and its potential for redressing this polarizing tendency in the discipline, and summarize the existing practice of hybrid geographies. There are at least three common practices towards hybrid geographies. The most common hybrid practices are those that use quantitative or GIS methods to address issues informed by critical geographies. Another type seeks to cross the boundary between geo-spatial technologies and a qualitative understanding of the lived experiences of individuals in various cultural contexts. And the third type attempts to integrate critical social theory and spatial analytical methods. As a conclusion, I offer some thoughts on the pos- sibility of a ＂post-social-theory, post-spatial-analysis＂ future for geography. This means a future in which so- cial-cultural geographies and spatial-analytical geographies are no longer represented as the conflicting poles. And I point out that the major challenge for geography as a discipline is how to cherish the diversity and rich- ness of perspectives while enhancing its status in the academic community and society.