Karl R. Popper, Systematics, and Classification: A Reply to Walter Bock and Other Evolutionary Taxonomists
Karl R. Popper, Systematics, and Classification: A Reply to Walter Bock and Other Evolutionary Taxonomists
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卡尔·R·波普尔（Karl R. Popper），系统学和分类：对沃尔特·博克（Walter Bock）和其他进化分类学家的答复
DOI：
10.1093/sysbio/24.2.233
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发表时间：
1975
影响因子：
6.5
通讯作者：
E. Wiley
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
E. Wiley
Popper (1968a, p. 37) has stated that" the criterion of the status of a (scientific as opposed to a metaphysical) theory is its falsifiability, or refutability, or its testabil-ity." This basic criterion of testability is held by the majority of scientific philosophers, Popper differing only in the specific way in which testing is carried out. Bock (1973) has argued that Popper's philosophy should be adopted for biological classifica-tion. I will argue that a theory of phylogeny via genealogical descent conforms to the general criterion of testability and the specific methods of testing outlined by Popper (1968a, b) and thus can serve as a basis for classification. I will also argue that the theory and methodology of evolutionary taxonomy as outlined by Mayr (1969, 1974), Bock (1973), and Ashlock (1974) fits neither the basic criterion of testability nor Popper's specific philosophy and thus cannot serve as a basis for deriving classi-fications which purport to reflect or com-municate scientific inferences. I do not claim that a genealogical theory is the only one which conforms to Popper's philosophy, but I maintain that Hennig's (1966) methodology is testable within Popper's philosophy. The basis for this conclusion rests on the relationship between homology and phylogeny. I will explore this relationship within inductive and deductive systems of hypothesis testing. Certain axioms will be suggested for a phylogenetic system. A restricted definition of homology is defended as best suited for application to estimates of phylogeny. The relationship between homology and phylogeny is then defended as being non-circular. After demonstrating the usefulness of Hennig's (1966) methods within Popper's philosophy, some logical aspects of" classical evolutionary taxonomy"(Bock, 1973) are discussed. Finally, the types of phylogenetic classifications which can exist under Popper's philosophy are discussed.
