Les horizons de la géographie : une métaphore pour comprendre les situations problématiques ?

Abstract

The twofold aim of this exploratory article is to highlight the interest of the horizon metaphor, whose hermeneutic richness helps us to grasp different realities, and to show how the metaphor can help us to understand problematic situations within the framework of a pragmatist geography. Three figurative meanings of the word horizon are developed. The recognition of geological horizons invites us to question the nature of the landscape discontinuities identified in the world, between basic unit, demarcation line and landmark (scape). The exploration of the environment, at the invitation of phenomenological horizons, finds its application in the geographical study of spaces as experienced by their users (motion-scape). Being moved by the fusion of horizons proposed by Gadamer (1960) makes it possible to discuss the possibility of approaching another horizon and to underline that understanding in dialogue contributes to the elaboration of a common horizon (e-motion-scape). For each of these approaches, the essential concepts are defined and an example taken from the geography of the Rhône River is described in detail, in order to highlight the added value of using the spatial metaphor. The debates surrounding the Messinian crisis in the Rhône basin, the landscape consequences of ecological restoration operations and river conservation strategies, as well as the controversies raised by the economic development of the Rhône are successively presented. These metaphorical uses of the horizon reveal three attitudes towards the world (detachment, domination and interdependence) and its discontinuities (discerning, crossing and erasing), which can help to apprehend problematic situations.

Keywords

• landscape
• epistemology
• discontinuity
• phenomenology
• geohistory
• river