nomenclature: identifying versus classifying

[Guido at]

Richard J. Jensen wrote

> If names are completely separated from a system of classification,
> then they exist in an information vacuum...
> Thus, our naming conventions should be designed to provide
> as much information as possible about the
> individuals and classes being named.

Meaningful names are most practical so there is nothing wrong with. The only
consequence is that name changes can't be avoided when they reflect as much
as possible what we 'actually' know (think) about an organism and the
question is: can a 'potentially variable' name be used as 'stable'
identification or do we have to use something besides the name for that
purpose?


Dr. Guido Mathieu
Peperomia collection manager
Botanical Garden, State University Ghent (Belgium)
Peperomia mailing list moderator
www.egroups.com/group/peperomia