Is the ancestor of primates a primate or not?
Cladistics is a plain classification (ie, typological approach) and is as such ultimately paradoxically contradictory, as Bertrand Russell demonstrated with Russell’s paradox about a century ago.
This paradox is, however, difficult to explain in the context of biological systematics, since biological systematics ONLY discusses types (ie, classes, or kinds) and thus rotates within this paradox per definition. A paradox of types can’t be understood in terms of types.
The paradox can, however, be demonstrated by the fact that types of types (classes of classes, or kinds of kinds) are practical impossibilities. One such example is “primates”. Now, cladistics only recognizes “groups” consisting of “an ancestor and all its descendants”, but the problem with this recognition is whether the ancestor of primates is a primate or not? If it is a primate, then the “group” is a member of itself and thus infinitely recursive (ie, an infinite loop), whereas if it is not a primate, then the “group is indistinguishable per definition. This “group” is thus either an infinite loop or indistinguishable, that is, a practical impossibility.
This is what Russell’s paradox demonstrated before cladistics originated. “The father of cladistics”, Willi Hennig, must thus have been totally ignorant of this important finding.
Another contribution to understanding of conceptualization http://menvall.wordpress.com/
2013-03-20 16:52:00
Source: http://menvall.wordpress.com/2013/03/21/is-the-ancestor-of-primates-a-primate-or-not/
Source:
Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.
"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.
Please Help Support BeforeitsNews by trying our Natural Health Products below!
Order by Phone at 888-809-8385 or online at https://mitocopper.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomic.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Order by Phone at 866-388-7003 or online at https://www.herbanomics.com M - F 9am to 5pm EST
Humic & Fulvic Trace Minerals Complex - Nature's most important supplement! Vivid Dreams again!
HNEX HydroNano EXtracellular Water - Improve immune system health and reduce inflammation.
Ultimate Clinical Potency Curcumin - Natural pain relief, reduce inflammation and so much more.
MitoCopper - Bioavailable Copper destroys pathogens and gives you more energy. (See Blood Video)
Oxy Powder - Natural Colon Cleanser! Cleans out toxic buildup with oxygen!
Nascent Iodine - Promotes detoxification, mental focus and thyroid health.
Smart Meter Cover - Reduces Smart Meter radiation by 96%! (See Video).