Welcome to the new version of CaltechAUTHORS. Login is currently restricted to library staff. If you notice any issues, please email coda@library.caltech.edu
Published December 2012 | Accepted Version + Published
Journal Article Open

The Future of Systematics: Tree Thinking without the Tree

Abstract

Phylogenetic trees are meant to represent the genealogical history of life and apparently derive their justification from the existence of the tree of life and the fact that evolutionary processes are treelike. However, there are a number of problems for these assumptions. Here it is argued that once we understand the important role that phylogenetic trees play as models that contain idealizations, we can accept these criticisms and deny the reality of the tree while justifying the continued use of trees in phylogenetic theory and preserving nearly all of what defenders of trees have called the "importance of tree thinking."

Additional Information

© 2012 by the Philosophy of Science Association.

Attached Files

Published - velasco12-futuresystematics.pdf

Accepted Version - VelascoFutureSystematics_preprint_.pdf

Files

velasco12-futuresystematics.pdf
Files (1.1 MB)
Name Size Download all
md5:ee2a4c7ba984a46b834f1174595ba613
674.1 kB Preview Download
md5:872414680565a390603dc2f92f322449
436.3 kB Preview Download

Additional details

Created:
August 19, 2023
Modified:
October 20, 2023