Cladistic classification is actually an infinite journey between only paradoxically contradictory classifications
We can classify reality and then classify this classification (like cladistics does), but not without contradiction, since classification of classification is paradoxically contradictory per definition (see Russell’s paradox). This fact may come as a surprise (ie, appear counter-intuitive) to some of us, since the whole process just appears as a first move from A to B and then a second move back to A from B.
The explanation is, however, that the first classification of reality starts with objects (ie, organisms) whereas the second classification of this classification starts with classes, because the class object is orthogonal to the class class. This orthogonality means that the two classifications can’t be the same per definition. When this fact is added to the fact that the second classification of classification is contradictory per definition, since classification is orthogonal and thus fundamentally contradictory (ie, every class contains at least two classes), they mean that the whole process (ie, cladistic classification) is paradoxically contradictory, which in practice means infinitely recursive, ie, that every particular solution points at another solution, infinitely. This fact is also what Russell’s paradox actually demonstrates.
Cladistic classification is thus possible, but not without paradoxical contradiction. It is actually an infinite journey between ONLY paradoxically contradictory classifications.
Another contribution to understanding of conceptualization http://menvall.wordpress.com/
2012-08-05 15:00:58
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