| Abstract: | Logicalization, or the conversion of a science to logical form, is viewed as an essential step in the formulation of theoretical geographical concepts. Three stages of logicalization are envisaged: (1) the identification of a limited number of fundamental concepts from which all other concepts can be deduced by logical operations; (2) the formation on the basis of these fundamental concepts of a set of axioms in geography; (3) the construction on the basis of these geographical axioms of a set of geographical theories in the form of formalized deductive systems. Among the fundamental concepts in geography are the concepts of geosystem and its geospace. Proposed axioms are: (1) a geosystem (and therefore its geospace), if viewed as a finite set of elements, forms an intersection with itself, meaning that nothing can be added or subtracted and the set must remain unchanged; (2) the number of geosystems is finite. Two essential conditions for the existence of a geosystem are postulated: (a) the intensity of the internal field of interaction must exceed the intensity of the intersystemic field of interaction, linking the given geosystem with other geosystems; (b) over a certain interval of time, a geosystem may become stronger through the incorporation of other systems and turn into a geosystem of higher rank, or it may break down under the impact of other geosystems. |
