Determinism vs Possibilism

An excavator machine and men at the granite quarry site.

Are we molded by the unchanging laws of our environment, or do we shape it through our sheer will and creativity? This question, pondered by both geographers and philosophers, reflects the existential struggle we all face. Determinism suggests that nature’s limits confine us, while possibilism celebrates our limitless human potential.

A simple case in point here is that of granite, a stone that has been around for millions of years. Now, these ancient rocks serve as polished floors beneath us or kitchen tops in our homes, silently witnessing our creations and reliving memories with our loved ones. In temples, our beloved deities carved out of such granite stones further perpetuate this irony of man's endless quest to better Mother Nature, of whose product he is.

The students of geology and geography are well aware of a classic saying, "that something as small as the flutter of a butterfly's wing can ultimately cause a typhoon halfway around the world." It illustrates the subtle and often hidden links between our actions and the extensive network of life. It's a moot question what would have happened in this particular context of granite when looked through the lens of the "butterfly effect." Another moot question remains that of Determinism vs. Possibilism. But until then, man's endless dance with nature shall reign.