Darwin's solution to the species problem

: Biologists and philosophers that debate the existence of the species category are split into two main camps. Some believe that the species category does not exist and that the term ‘species’ should be junked. Others believe that given new biological insights and the application of philosophical ideas, we can show that the species category does exist. This paper charts a position between skeptics and defenders of the species category. That position holds that the species category does not exist, yet those taxa we call ‘species’ do exist. And, despite skepticism over the species category, there are pragmatic reasons to keep the word ‘species.’ This approach to the species category is far from new, for it is the one that Darwin suggested. Hence it is dubbed ‘Darwin’s solution to the species problem.’

• Type: Journal
• Year: 2010
• Where: SYNTHESE
• Authors: Marc Ereshefsky
• Keywords: Main Camps, Species Category, Species Problem, SYNTHESE 2010