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

Preview

PDF VelascoFutureSystematics(archive).pdf - Submitted Version Download (434kB)

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.”

---

Export/Citation:

EndNote | BibTeX | Dublin Core | ASCII/Text Citation (Chicago) | HTML Citation | OpenURL

Social Networking:

Share |

---

Item Type:	Preprint
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID 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

Monthly Views for the past 3 years

Monthly Downloads for the past 3 years

Plum Analytics

Actions (login required)

View Item