Implementation as theory, hierarchy as transformation, homology as synapomorphy.
Presently cladistics is based on, and justified by, a computer implementation (Wagner Parsimony) rather than sound methodological or theoretical foundations. In this paper, the recent goals of cladistics that are derived from computer implementations and 'tree-thinking' are discussed. The discussion raises a critical point, namely whether one can dispense with these recent goals and adopt a wholly systematic approach, one herein termed systematic thinking.
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences, The University of New South Wales, Kensington, NSW, Australia. mcebach@unsw.edu.au
Malte C
MC
Ebach
David M
DM
Williams
Tegan A
TA
Vanderlaan
D000818:Animals; D002965:Classification / Q000379:methods*; D019295:Computational Biology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003201:Computers; D056890:Eukaryota / Q000145:classification*