Sterner, Beckett and Witteveen, Joeri and Franz, Nico (2020) Coordinating dissent as an alternative to consensus classification: insights from systematics for bio‐ontologies. History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences. ISSN 0391-9714

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Abstract

The collection and classification of data into meaningful categories is a key step in the process of knowledge making. In the life sciences, the design of data discovery and integration tools has relied on the premise that a formal classifica- tory system for expressing a body of data should be grounded in consensus defi- nitions for classifications. On this approach, exemplified by the realist program of the Open Biomedical Ontologies Foundry, progress is maximized by grounding the representation and aggregation of data on settled knowledge. We argue that histori- cal practices in systematic biology provide an important and overlooked alternative approach to classifying and disseminating data, based on a principle of coordinative rather than definitional consensus. Systematists have developed a robust system for referring to taxonomic entities that can deliver high quality data discovery and inte- gration without invoking consensus about reality or “settled” science.

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Item Type:	Published Article or Volume
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID Sterner, Beckett bsterne1@asu.edu 0000-0001-5219-7616 Witteveen, Joeri j.wit@me.com 0000-0003-1291-9156 Franz, Nico nmfranz@asu.edu 0000-0001-7089-7018
Keywords:	Bio-ontologies, Big data, Data-centrism, Consensus principle, Coordination, Ontology alignment, Biodiversity informatics
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Social Epistemology of Science General Issues > Theory Change
Depositing User:	Dr. Beckett Sterner
Date Deposited:	03 Jun 2025 13:12
Last Modified:	03 Jun 2025 13:12
Item ID:	25542
Journal or Publication Title:	History and Philosophy of the Life Sciences
Publisher:	Springer
Official URL:	https://doi.org/10.1007/s40656-020-0300-z
DOI or Unique Handle:	10.1007/s40656-020-0300-z
Subjects:	General Issues > Data Specific Sciences > Biology Specific Sciences > Biology > Systematics Specific Sciences > Computer Science General Issues > Realism/Anti-realism General Issues > Social Epistemology of Science General Issues > Theory Change
Date:	2020
ISSN:	0391-9714
URI:	https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/25542

Available Versions of this Item

• Alternatives to Realist Consensus in Bio-Ontologies: Taxonomic Classification as a Basis for Data Discovery and Integration. (deposited 20 Jun 2019 18:16)
  • Coordinating dissent as an alternative to consensus classification: insights from systematics for bio‐ontologies. (deposited 03 Jun 2025 13:12) [Currently Displayed]

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