Preliminary communication

Monistic-Pluralistic Dispute on Living World Genus

Tonći Kokić orcid.org/0000-0002-6918-0666 ; University of Split, Faculty of Philosophy, Split, Croatia

Abstract

Numerous definitions of living world species form opposite philosophical attitudes on question whether there is a single category of species or a number of categories (monism or pluralism of species). Monists believe in a general possibility of single category of species that reflect reality of the homogeneous living world. In opposite, pluralists believe that there are different categories of species due to the epistemological limitations of the human or is it possible to define species in numerous ways. Study of examples of well known monistic and pluralistic definitions of species suggest that there is a significant alienation in determination of category of species and recognition of species taxa. Divergent definitions of species implicates less of epistemological, and more of ontological propositions on aptitude of human cognition on living world genus and nature of genus. There is a consensus on statement on evolution formation of species taxa and single and unique tree of life, but with the diverse classifications of living world. Discussion leads towards contemporary ideas of synthesis according to which the nature of living world genus is a sophisticated monism based on the pluralistic classification of species.

Keywords

homogeneous; category of species; monism; pluralism; heterogeneous; synthesis; species taxon

Hrčak ID:

41415

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/41415

Publication date:

21.7.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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