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The Future of Systematics: Tree-Thinking Without the Tree

Velasco, Joel D. (2012) The Future of Systematics: Tree-Thinking Without the Tree. [Preprint]

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Official URL: http://joelvelasco.net

Abstract

Phylogenetic trees are meant to represent the genealogical history of life and apparently derive their justification from the existence of the tree of life and the fact that evolutionary processes are tree-like. However, there are a number of problems for these assumptions. Here it is argued that once we understand the important role that phylogenetic trees play as models which contain idealizations, we can accept these criticisms and deny the reality of the tree while justifying the continued use of trees in phylogenetic theory and preserving nearly all of what defenders of trees have called “the importance of tree-thinking.”


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Velasco, Joel D.joel@joelvelasco.net
Keywords: idealization, model, phylogenetic, systematics, tree of life
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Depositing User: Joel Velasco
Date Deposited: 10 Jul 2012 19:42
Last Modified: 10 Jul 2012 19:42
Item ID: 9215
Official URL: http://joelvelasco.net
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Biology > Evolutionary Theory
Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics
General Issues > Models and Idealization
Date: 2012
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/9215

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