Thinking Philosophically in Cartography: Toward A Critical Politics of Mapping

The purpose of this paper is to examine some of the context in which mapping is practiced and thought about. I shall make several points. First, our present context is historical and arose from identifiable events that help shape the way mapping takes place today. But every context allows some possibilities and closes off others. Second, our current context is based on a Cartesian–scientific worldview which casts maps as communicators of spatial location. One consequence of this is that we do not take account of maps as helping us find our meaningful place in the world. Third, examining this context as a horizon of possibilities is itself a political project. Finally, some possible components of such a “politics of mapping” are sketched out that might let us understand our horizon of possibilities in order to expand it.

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