Od nauk geograficznych w kierunku nauki o geoinformacji
From geographical sciences towards geoinformation science

Author(s): Iwona Jażdżewska
Subject(s): Philosophy, Geography, Regional studies
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Łódzkiego
Keywords: Geoinformation science; GIScience; geographical sciences; philosophy of science; geoinformation science in Poland
Summary/Abstract: For several decades there has been functioning in the world science the term GIScience, among Polish researchers it appeared as the science of geoinformation. The publication recalls some of the most important philosophical concepts relevant to geographical sciences and geoinformation science. Many of them appeared before the first half of the twentieth century, i.e. in the time before the "digital and Internet revolution", therefore the discussion on the science of geoinformation takes into account the new challenges facing science and the new paradigms that are associated with it. These are closely related to the new technologies used in scientific research and the explosive growth of data. For this reason, aspects of the philosophy of science and technology are included in the publication. In the context of the division of geography into sub-disciplines, considerations on the short history of the development of geoinformation science in Poland from the scientific, didactic and organisational point of view are presented. They lead to the conclusion that it has a close relationship with geographical sciences and other disciplines and belongs to the group of disciplines understood as multi-, inter- or transdisciplinary sciences. This may mean that it is not possible to define for it a single pattern of rational research conduct, accepted by the majority of its representatives. Its development in historical, social, technical and political and spatial contexts has been and continues to be highly diverse. This causes some difficulties in discussing its development. However, it can be said that at the end of the second decade of the 21st century, the academic community representing GIScience worldwide appears as a group of scientists aware of its scientific potential. Among them are researchers from Poland who, within the framework of geographical sciences, start a conversation about the possibilities of developing geoinformation science in Poland.

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