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Author Topic:   What does the Linnaean classification mean?
Chiroptera
Inactive Member


Message 1 of 8 (68130)
11-20-2003 8:07 PM


This is a question for creationists. I apologize if this has already been talked to death.
This is based on a question I found buried in another post, and I just want to expand on it and make it more explicit.
It is known that all life can be classified in a heirarchical manner - the Linnaean classification system. The trees (in a mathematical sense) can be easily found: here is a simple one, while this one is much more detailed.
These trees are not arbitrary, see for example Douglas Theobold's essay on this. In fact, before evolution was accepted, even creationist scientists found this classification useful.
So, for creationists, what does the classification system mean to you? Is there an explanation why life isn't just a bunch of random species with no clear relationships? Is there a message from the creator in this heirarchical system?
By the way, I present this because, when I was a creationist, it was precisely this evidence that led to the first doubts that would eventually result in my accepting Darwinian evolution. Why don't you think this is good evidence for evolution?

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by Habanero, posted 11-22-2003 2:04 PM Chiroptera has not replied
 Message 3 by Brad McFall, posted 11-22-2003 2:52 PM Chiroptera has replied

  
Chiroptera
Inactive Member


Message 4 of 8 (68564)
11-22-2003 3:22 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Brad McFall
11-22-2003 2:52 PM


Thanks, Brad. I guess the point I was trying to make is that the heirarchical classification is can be made, and it doesn't seem to be arbitrary - it seems to reflect some reality that "relates" the species. Evolution explains this by saying that the relationship is a phylogenic relationship, that is, the heirarchical classification is a family tree. I was wondering what the creationists believe to be the relationship expressed in the classification if it's not evolutionary relationship?

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Brad McFall, posted 11-22-2003 2:52 PM Brad McFall has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Brad McFall, posted 11-22-2003 3:35 PM Chiroptera has not replied

  
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