Final answer:
Environmental determinism is a theory that suggests the physical environment determines human cultures and societies.
Step-by-step explanation:
Environmental determinism is a theory that suggests that the physical environment influences and determines human cultures and societies. It argues that environmental factors such as climate, topography, and soil characteristics shape the development and behavior of a society. However, this theory has been widely criticized and is not considered a viable explanation.
One reason environmental determinism is not a viable explanation is because it overlooks the role of human agency and the ability of people to shape their environment. It fails to take into account the complex interactions between culture, society, and the environment, and ignores the influence of social, economic, and political factors on the development of a society.
Another reason is that environmental determinism has been used to justify colonialism, racism, and discrimination. It has been used to argue that certain groups of people are inherently superior or inferior based on their environment, leading to harmful and oppressive ideologies. This has tainted the reputation of environmental determinism and made it an unacceptable approach in modern scholarship.