This question species or this problem of species started when there was an attempt by the biologists to define species and this definition of particular species is called species concept. The most popular concept is that this concept of species goes well for species that reproduce sexually like birds. At the same time, this concept can be useless for species that reproduce asexually like bacteria. This field of discipline is studied under the subject micro taxonomy. From this discussion, the idea of Nominalistic Species Concept arises.
Concept of species
In the discussion on the concept of species, many scholars have suggested that there is an infinite number of species or types of species existing on earth. But what these scholars think is that this differentiation of species is irrelevant.
On the other hand, the concept of species has been discussed from a different aspect like the philosophical aspect by ancient scholars like Aristotle, Plato, etc. This philosophical aspect has been further divided into divisions because of the variations in the philosophical theories on the concept of species.
Philosophical Aspects of species
The concept of species has different aspects, philosophical aspect is one of them. The Nominalistic Species Concept has given rise from this aspect. All the divisions of these philosophical aspects have been discussed below:
Realism
According to this concept of species, scholars have suggested that the species existing on earth are real-minded entities and exist on earth independently, naturally, with independent mental capabilities which are extraordinary from other species on this planet.
Another important concept of Realism is that some scholars proposed that the differentiation between species is made naturally. These different features among species give a self-individuality to these species. However,this uniqueness of a particular species can change under certain physical circumstances or through speciation.
Pragmatism
Pragmatism is an alternative concept to the Nominalistic Species Concept. In this concept of species, scientists suggest that species do not exist naturally rather it is just a concept and it is conceptually real. This concept has been made to make practical applications easier. This concept is of practical significance in the field of biodiversity science and environmental science.
Nominalism
Some scholars who have concentrated on the philosophical aspect of species have proposed this Nominalistic Species Concept. They suggest that these differences in species are man-made. They also suggest that species are produced by nature. Besides, there are no such differences underlying between these species. In this kind of view, they suggest that the different names that are given to species do not come from reality. It is an abstract concept. But some of the scientists counter-argued this suggestion that if the existence of species is an abstract concept, then theories like “Evolution of species” or “the origin of a species”, would be very sensible to talk about these theories.
Another question that was raised against this Nominalistic Species Concept, is that individual species are not a type but actual individuals or entities. Thus, species would exist no matter whether people accepted the concept of species or not. These species are dynamic in the sense that they are always under the process of evolution.
Pluralism and monism
There exists an argument between groups of scholars. A certain group suggests that there should one theory on the origin and concept of species. A different group of scientists suggests that different theories on the concept of species and their origin should be given equal importance.
Other Concepts of Species
Besides the philosophical aspect, there are other aspects to the concept of species. The philosophical aspect has almost no scientific base but other aspects concentrate on the scientific base like the evolution concept and biological concept.
Evolutionary Concept
In the middle of the 1900s, a group of scientists concentrated on the evolutionary concept of a species. Their main proposal is that all the species existing on the planet follow the same lineage but has a difference in their physical features because of the evolutionary process they are going through. They also suggest that species are dynamic and go through evolution.
Biological Concept
In the middle of the 1800s, a group of scientists suggested the biological concept of species. This theory was earlier rejected but gained validity in the mid-1900s after the publishing of “Origin of Species” by Darwin in 1859. They proposed three units that existed in the species. They are:
- “Reproductive Community”
- “Ecological Unit”
- “Genetical Unit”
Conclusion
There are different aspects to the concept of species. This article concentrates on the philosophical aspects. To be more precise it focuses on the Nominalistic Species Concept which falls under the philosophical aspect of the concept of species. There are also other aspects of the concept of species like the biological concept, the ecological concept. These concepts have been further divided to make practical application easier. To know in detail you can also search for nominalistic species concept pdf for detailed study.