Single Idea 17381

[catalogued under 26. Natural Theory / B. Natural Kinds / 1. Natural Kinds]

Full Idea

The phylogenetic conception of classification reflects the facts of evolutionary history. Cladism insists that every taxonomic distinction should reflect an evolutionary event of lineage bifurcation.

Gist of Idea

Phylogenetics involves history, and cladism rests species on splits in lineage

Source

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

Book Reference

Dupré,John: 'The Disorder of Things' [Harvard 1995], p.32


A Reaction

Devitt attacks cladism nicely. It rules out species change without bifurcation, and it insists on species change even in a line which remains unchanged after a split.