Towards a post-mathematical topology

Martin, Lauren; Secor, Anna J.

Abstract

This paper aims to bring clarity to the term topology as it has been deployed in human geography. We summarize the insights that geographers have garnered from thinking topologically about space and power. We find that many deployments of topology both overstretch topology’s conceptual merit and limit its insights for spatial thinking. We show how topology, with its structuralist and modernist baggage, requires some theoretical reworking to be put to work by poststructuralist geographers. Our purpose is not to consolidate a specific topological approach for geographers, but to call for an ongoing consideration of what topology offers poststructuralist spatial theories.

Citation

Martin, L., & Secor, A. J. (2014). Towards a post-mathematical topology. Progress in Human Geography, 38(3), 420-438. https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132513508209

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 10, 2013
• Online Publication Date: Oct 23, 2013
• Publication Date: Jun 1, 2014
• Deposit Date: Aug 7, 2017
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 11, 2017
• Journal: Progress in Human Geography
• Print ISSN: 0309-1325
• Electronic ISSN: 1477-0288
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 38
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 420-438
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0309132513508209