On Taxonomy. Reflections on the Usefulness of a ‘Non-Modern’ Science

Abstract

Taxonomy is a science whose roots go back to the dawn of human curiosity. Its evergrowing body of knowledge, laid down in the biological classification, provides the framework within which every biologist operates. Taxonomists have always used the oldest scientific tools for their research — their natural capabilities of observation, gestalt perception, categorization, and classification — as well as the most advanced technologies of the day. Today, taxonomy is firmly anchored in evolutionary theory, spearheading on topics such as the species problem and biodiversity and its development.