RE: Philidor: No Class

["Steve Brusatte" <dinoland@lycos.com>]

On Wed, 28 Aug 2002 17:58:04  
 philidor11 wrote:
><...Let morphology and molecules speak for themselves, not "experts" 
>[using an outdated and unscientific system] speak for them.>
>
>Having parried and riposted, the prise-de-fer is without opposition.
>Because the Linnaean system has been adapted with ease to present 
>understanding, any prior connotations entirely obsolete, its 
>acceptance and understanding still universal, morphology and 
>molecules have useful terms, a language in which to speak.  They 
>do speak clearly in what everyone sees and understands, and are 
>heard gladly.  You're right; 'experts' shouldn't intercede.
>Unlike esperanto, the alternative cladistic language has no universality. 
> As Jefferson had learned in politics, acceptance is the key 
>to effectiveness.
>So, your idea supports the Linnaean system.  Thank you! 

But, the Linnaean system has certainly not been adapted with ease to the 
present.  It's death knell sounded in 1859, when Darwin published _Origin of 
Species_.  The Linnaean system turns a blind eye to the theory of evolution, 
the unifying principle of biology!  It's a system meant for cre@tionists who 
deny evolution and instead see beauty in God's planned "patterns", but not for 
scientists.

And, the Linnaean system overwhelmingly favors experts.  I could create my own 
classification using the Linnaean system, and few would take it seriously, me 
not being an expert.  But, if I formulated a new cladogram of, say, the 
Dinosauria, then I would be taken seriously, if and only if my analysis 
followed scientific principles.  If I took into account the necessary 
synapomorphies and invoked parsimony, as cladistic classification calls for, 
the simple facts (it is a fact if an organism shares a derived character) would 
speak for themselves.  Facts don't speak under the Linnaean system, only those 
on the taxonomic high horse do.

My brother came home from his first class day in freshman high school biology 
today, and he asked me this question, "there are six kingdoms now?  In grade 
school we were told there were five."  

Down with the Linnaean ranks!  It's about time we accept evolution.

Steve

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