Single Idea 17379

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 7. Critique of Kinds]

Full Idea

The richest source of illustrations is the vegetable kingdom, where specific differences tend to be much less clear than among animals, and considerable developmental plasticity is the rule.

Gist of Idea

Borders between species are much less clear in vegetables than among animals

Source

John Dupré (The Disorder of Things [1993], 1)

Book Reference

Dupré,John: 'The Disorder of Things' [Harvard 1995], p.27


A Reaction

Nice. Just as the idea that laws of nature are mathematical suits physics, but founders on biology, so natural kinds founder in an area of biology to which we pay less attention. He cites prickly pears and lilies. I'm thinking oranges, satsumas etc.