Science and Organic Evolution

[Ken Kinman]

John,
     I certainly would not characterize panbiogeography (or your particular
approach to it) as either extreme or abusive.  On the contrary, I have
expressed my belief that such an approach has a lot of potential, even
though I criticize certain aspects of it (like not putting Antarctica on
your maps).
     As for systematics, I label as "extreme" the strict cladism which
forbids any recognition of formal paraphyletic taxa.  This is especially
true when strict cladists punish those who do formally recognize
paraphyletic taxa, and this comes in various forms affecting the ability to
publish, to get funding, or even employment opportunities.  I'm not
suggesting that all strict cladists resort to such methodological
intimidation, but it certainly empowers those who do.
     And as for nature, it simply "is what it is", and therefore cannot be
unreasonable.  It is its own "middle ground", and my view is that we can
best study nature with middle ground approaches that offer a lot of choice
and latitude.  Labelling paraphyly as unreal or unnatural restricts our
choices of approach, and Zoology in particularly is suffering the
consequences of various attempts to impose such restrictions (as I have
often pointed out in this and other venues).
            ----  Ken Kinman

*****************************************
John Grehan wrote:
>I don't know enough about systematics to know whether I am one of those
>unreasonable strict cladists, but when it comes to panbiogeography I
>suppose I will remain in the camp defined by Ken and others as being
>extremist because I will not conform to the demands of orthodox political
>correctness for my choices in science. If the panbiogeographic position is
>'right' then perhaps it will just prove that 'nature' (universe or
>whatever) knows no 'middle ground' and is in essence unreasonable and
>intemperate too.
>
>John Grehan
>
>John Grehan
>Director of Science and Collections
>Buffalo Museum of Science
>1020 Humboldt Parkway
>Buffalo, New York 14211-1293


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