Is Positivism Inevitable in Geography?

This question appears to be anachronistic in the sense that, as at today, Geography – both physical and human - has fully embraced and adopted Positivism as a philosophy and methodology of acquiring valid knowledge. Therefore, it is no longer a question of inevitability but rather its suitability and sustainability. Nevertheless, this paper attempts to describe Positivism as a philosophical and methodological approach, traces the history of its introduction into geographic inquiry, evaluates its contributions and criticisms, and finally examines what it portends for the future.