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From: ethan@utastro.UUCP (Ethan Vishniac)
Newsgroups: net.origins
Subject: Re: Linnaeus, etc.
Message-ID: <136@utastro.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 24-May-85 14:45:09 EDT
Article-I.D.: utastro.136
Posted: Fri May 24 14:45:09 1985
Date-Received: Mon, 27-May-85 06:37:51 EDT
References: <1136@uwmacc.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: U. Texas, Astronomy, Austin, TX
Lines: 35

> 
> Linnaeus believed that he was reconstructing the plan of creation in
> setting up his classification system.
> 
> "Linnaeus introduced his system partly as a convenient aid to memory,
> a means of making comprehensible the diversity of nature.  But
> Linnaeus also had a higher purpose than merely to catalogue nature.  He
> believed that he was uncovering the plan of the Creator.  Linnaeus and
> his followers recognized genera, families, and other categories on the
> basis of similarities in structure, and believed that each group had a
> set of features which were its essence, or ideal plan, corresponding
> to something in the mind of the Creator.  Comparative anatomy
> developed as a means of searching out these ideal plans."  [1p303]
> 
> "Linnaeus believed that each living thing corresponded more or less
> closely to some ideal model and that by classifying them, he was
> revealing the grand pattern of creation."  [2p283]
> 
> "Systematics has traditionally been based on attributes of form and
> pattern.  It is possible that Linnaeus, a believer in Special
> Creation, was influenced by Platonic Idealism, and thus by the idea
> that 'there are real and unchanging archetypes, the Ideas or Forms,
> and that the things of this world are mere copies or shadows of
> reality.'" [3p387]
> 
     In other words, Linnaeus believed that nature contained patterns that
could be elucidated through careful observation.  He shared this belief
with virtually all scientists, modern or ancient, religious or atheist.
It is a necessary attribute of a good scientist.  In adopting evolution
biology has done nothing more or less than continue in this tradition.

"Don't argue with a fool.      Ethan Vishniac
 Borrow his money."            {charm,ut-sally,ut-ngp,noao}!utastro!ethan
                               Department of Astronomy
                               University of Texas