Concept
Linnaean taxonomy
Overview
Linnaean taxonomy can mean either of two related concepts:
The particular form of biological classification (taxonomy) established by Carl Linnaeus, as set forth in his Systema Naturae (1735) and subsequent works. In his taxonomy Linnaeus described three kingdoms, each divided into classes, and the classes divided into lower ranks in hierarchical order.
A general term for ranked classification of organisms. That is, taxonomy in the traditional sense of the word: rank-based scientific classification—which especially is used as opposed to the method of cladistic systematics, which groups organisms into clades.
Ranked classification is attributed to Linnaeus even though he neither invented the concept (which goes back to Plato and Aristotle), nor gave it its present form(s). In fact, ranked classification does not have a defined form, as "Linnaean taxonomy" does not exist as such. Instead it is a collective (abstracting) term for several separate fields used for similar approaches.
Linnaean name also has two meanings, depending on the context: it may either refer to a formal name given by Linnaeus himself, such as Giraffa camelopardalis Linnaeus, 1758; or a formal name in the accepted nomenclature.
Overview adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0; see the article history for authors).
Possible passages
Found by search and not yet checked by a person; they may only mention the idea in passing.
Some of them appear to have no sensation; in others it is very dull. The body of some of them is naturally fleshy, as of those which are called tethya; and the acalephe and the sponge entirely resemble plants; the progress is always gradual by which one appears to have more life and motion than another. 4. In the vital actions also we may observe the same manner. For vegetables which are produced from seed appear to…
Aristotle, Aristotle's History of Animals In Ten Books
States what Linnaean taxonomy is; the author is tied to Linnaean taxonomy in the knowledge graph.
And when we have perfected the classification of things, we shall give them names, and see whether, as in the case of letters, there are any classes to which they may be all referred (cf. Phaedrus); and hence we shall see their natures, and see, too, whether they have in them classes as there are in the letters; and when we have well considered all this, we shall know how to apply them to what they resemble—whether…
Plato, Cratylus
States what Linnaean taxonomy is; the author is tied to Linnaean taxonomy in the knowledge graph.
Substance, in the truest and primary and most definite sense of the word, is that which is neither predicable of a subject nor present in a subject; for instance, the individual man or horse. But in a secondary sense those things are called substances within which, as species, the primary substances are included; also those which, as genera, include the species. For instance, the individual man is included in the…
Aristotle, The Categories
States what Linnaean taxonomy is; the author is tied to Linnaean taxonomy in the knowledge graph.
Related ideas
Opposing perspectives
Place in the tradition
Part of German philosophy.