Some remarks on the influence of historical bias in our approach to systematics and the so called «species problem»

Abstract

The present paper contends that multiple influences, particularly hermetic-neoplatonic-lullian, shaped a widespread attitude towards systematic categories which still largely influences the systematic debate. This also influences the common craving for regularities in evolutionary events which has bedevilled evolutionary studies and systematics. It is argued, instead, that a truly darwinian systematics should be built on purely empirical appreciation of predominantly random events. © 1995 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.