Philosophy Dictionary of ArgumentsHome
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| Classification: Classification is the process of categorizing or organizing objects, ideas, or information based on shared characteristics or criteria. It helps to simplify and make sense of complex systems or data._____________Annotation: The above characterizations of concepts are neither definitions nor exhausting presentations of problems related to them. Instead, they are intended to give a short introduction to the contributions below. – Lexicon of Arguments. | |||
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Stephen Jay Gould on Classification - Dictionary of Arguments
I 215 Classification/Gould: objectivity of species: indigenous have almost everywhere the same classifications as us. I 217 Higher units (genera): higher units cannot be defined objectively in the hierarchy of Linné, because they are combinations of species and do not occur separately in nature. They do not reproduce together, nor do they influence each other in any other way. You cannot bring people and dolphins together in one order and chimpanzees in another. These orders are therefore by no means arbitrary. Although chimpanzees are genealogically related to our neighbours, do we belong to the same genus or to different genera within the same family? Species are the only objective, taxonomic units of nature (not genus, kingdom, order). >Order, >Categorization, >Categories. I 221 Other classifications: for example, the Fore in New Guinea have a single word for all butterflies, but they divide up the birds like Linné. I 230ff Classification/Gould: with the discovery of methanogens, which are not bacteria at all, the NY Times erroneously wrote that a third kingdom between plants and animals had been discovered. I 232 Biologists had abandoned this dichotomy for a long time. Today, no one tries to squeeze all single-celled organisms into the two large groups. Traditionally, they are recognized for more complex shapes. Today a system of 5 kingdoms is widespread: 1. plants, 2. animals, 3. mushrooms, 4. protists (single-cell eukaryotes, including amoebas with nucleus, mitochondria, and other organelles), as well as 5. prokaryotic monera. If methanogens are listed separately, they form a sixth kingdom. Biologists today distinguish between eukaryotes and prokaryotes rather than between plants and animals. The prokaryotes must have had a common precursor due to a common RNA sequence. I 234 The assumption of a steady evolutionary speed is probably impossible to maintain. The early methanogens may have developed much faster. - - - II 70 Classification/Gould: historical changes in the classifications are the petrified signs of mental overthrow. II 71 Classification/Foucault/Gould: why should we group together the poor, the unemployed and the mentally ill? Foucault argues that the birth of modern trading companies has led to a new definition of a cardinal sin, which must be made invisible by locking them away. This sin was inactivity.(1) II 72 Foucault: Thesis: the things that are omitted from the taxonomies are just as important as those included. >Taxonomy. II 359 Classification/Gould: GouldVsCladism: some of our best known and most convenient groups no longer exist if the classification is to be based on Cladograms. E.g. then there is no such thing as a fish any more. There are about 20,000 species of vertebrate scales and fins living in the water, but they do not form a cohesive cladistic group. But must classifications be based exclusively on cladistic information? This is the most intense debate in evolutionary biology. II 360 The Cladist rejects the similarity altogether as an illusion. Against it: the pheneticist, who concentrates on the overall similarity, pursues a questionable ideal of objectivity. 1. M. Foucault (1965). Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason trans. by R. Howard, (London: Tavistock._____________Explanation of symbols: Roman numerals indicate the source, arabic numerals indicate the page number. The corresponding books are indicated on the right hand side. ((s)…): Comment by the sender of the contribution. Translations: Dictionary of Arguments The note [Concept/Author], [Author1]Vs[Author2] or [Author]Vs[term] resp. "problem:"/"solution:", "old:"/"new:" and "thesis:" is an addition from the Dictionary of Arguments. If a German edition is specified, the page numbers refer to this edition. |
Gould I Stephen Jay Gould The Panda’s Thumb. More Reflections in Natural History, New York 1980 German Edition: Der Daumen des Panda Frankfurt 2009 Gould II Stephen Jay Gould Hen’s Teeth and Horse’s Toes. Further Reflections in Natural History, New York 1983 German Edition: Wie das Zebra zu seinen Streifen kommt Frankfurt 1991 Gould III Stephen Jay Gould Full House. The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin, New York 1996 German Edition: Illusion Fortschritt Frankfurt 2004 Gould IV Stephen Jay Gould The Flamingo’s Smile. Reflections in Natural History, New York 1985 German Edition: Das Lächeln des Flamingos Basel 1989 |
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> Counter arguments against Gould
> Counter arguments in relation to Classification
Ed. Martin Schulz, access date 2024-04-28