Alexander Von Humboldt e a paisagem montanhosa : uma contribuição a história da geografia

Abstract

The present study presents an investigation regarding Alexander von Humboldt's contributions to geographic science with the mountain as a key element. As much as the work is within a specificity of Physical Geography, we seek to develop from the Geography of Wright and Gadamer's philosophical Hermeneutics a return to the geographical imaginary that preceded and that made Alexander von Humboldt's experiences, since Geographic science is recent in terms of human history. On the other hand, geographic knowledge is something that is intrinsic to our history, appearing since the myths and societies of antiquity. western thought. We decided to bring Humboldt to the centers of studies on the history of Geography precisely because of his differential in doing science in an empirical way, with attachment to the materiality of the facts (measurement and description of what was observed) and mainly for his sensitivity to articulate as words in a poetic tone to convey sensations and universalize the saber. From his rush to the mountains, Humboldt developed a relationship with mountainous landscapes that outlined his way of doing geographic science and understanding Earth - World relations. We emphasize that the mountain has always been in nature, producing different interpretations regarding its existence, since ethical values and aesthetic experience are part of the human encounter with its existence and the current truths of the time. This chain of ideas understands that geographic knowledge and geographic science are general ways of connecting human beings and Earth - World dynamics.