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A Concoction Pipeline for Generating Molecular Operational Taxonomic Units (MOTUs) Among Riparian and Aquatic Beetles
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Are species names proper names?

Richard J Jensen1

  • 1Department of Biology, Saint Mary's College, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA.

Cladistics : the International Journal of the Willi Hennig Society
|December 8, 2021
PubMed
Summary

Species names are neither proper nor general names. They are unique "extra-proper names" referring to specific collective entities, challenging existing philosophical debates on species concepts.

Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Taxonomy
  • Philosophy of Biology

Background:

  • The philosophical status of species names is debated.
  • Existing views categorize them as Millian proper names (no meaning) or Millian general names (stipulative definitions).
  • These classifications impact understanding of species concepts, like the species-as-individuals hypothesis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the unique properties of species names.
  • To determine the correct philosophical category for species names.
  • To propose a new classification for species names.

Main Methods:

  • Philosophical analysis of linguistic and semantic properties of species names.
  • Comparison of species names with existing categories of names (Millian proper and general names).

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Main Results:

  • Species names possess unique referents and are connotative, unlike Millian proper names.
  • Species names are names of intension, referring to specific collective entities, distinguishing them from Millian general names.
  • Species names share most properties with proper names but have unique characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • Species names do not fit into the established categories of Millian proper or general names.
  • A new category, "extra-proper names," is proposed for species names.
  • This reclassification offers a more accurate understanding of species names and their role in biological discourse.