Monthly Archives: January 2011
So, can we have some civility now?
Now that a lack of civil discourse has contributed to yet another act of righteous violence – and let’s not pretend that it hasn’t – it seems that we can justifiably raise the question of civility elsewhere, surely. The sort … Continue reading
Filed under Rant
A question to my readers
Early January is by tradition a time of soul searching, reflection and dieting. I am also about to move from Brisbane to Sydney, and take up a new direction, and I was wondering about the use of this blog. I’ve … Continue reading
Filed under Philosophy
Phylogeny, induction, and the straight rule of homology
Continuing my “natural classification” series, which I am writing with Dr Malte Ebach of UNSW. After having experienced the circulation of the blood in human creatures, we make no doubt that it takes place in Titius and Maevius. But from … Continue reading
Filed under Epistemology, Natural Classification, Philosophy, Science, Systematics
A quote on science
“All science is either, A. Science of Discovery; B. Science of Review; or C. Practical Science. By “science of review” is meant the business of those who occupy themselves with arranging the results of discovery… The classification of the sciences belongs … Continue reading
Filed under Natural Classification, Philosophy, Quotes, Systematics
How many species of plant are there?
It should be a simple question. After all, we have been describing, naming, and studying species of plants for 500 years, and the whole system of nomenclature and classification was developed in order to list plants. Estimate range widely, from … Continue reading
