Type-concept, higher classification and evolution.

L van der Hammen

doi:10.1007/bf00116071

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Type-concept, higher classification and evolution.

L van der Hammen

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Abstract

A study is made of the history of the type and related concepts, from Greek Antiquity up to the present. It is demonstrated that the type-concept of eighteenth century biology was based on Leibniz's concept of substantial form, and was not related to a Platonic Idea, whilst it is now generally understood in the sense of model or norm. In the present paper, a type-concept is developed which includes ontogenetic and phylogenetic time and various evolutionary mechanisms. This type (an archetype) can serve as a model of the evolutionary potentialities of a taxon, and as a standard of higher classification. All classifications based on the same archetype, whether typological, numerical or phylogenetic, will be comparable, although not necessarily identical.

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Biological Evolution Biology Classification History, 16th Century History, 17th Century History, 18th Century History, 19th Century History, 20th Century History, Ancient Models, Biological Zoology Biography Historical Article Journal Article

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L van der Hammen. 1981. Type-concept, higher classification and evolution.. https://doi.org/10.1007/bf00116071

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