| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | A '''classification system''' is a means of organising lists of items in a structured and useful way. | | A '''classification system''' is a means of organising lists of items in a structured and useful way. |
| | | | |
| − | There is no "right" way to classify items, and more than one classification system for any one list of items is possible. | + | There is no single "right" way to classify items, and more than one useful classification system for any list of items is possible. |
| − | However, some systems may be ''better'', or ''more useful'' than others, especially for a given purpose. | + | However, some systems may be ''better'', or ''more useful'' than others for a given purpose. |
| | | | |
| | Additionally, classification systems sometimes change their definitions. | | Additionally, classification systems sometimes change their definitions. |
| | A recent very public and controversial change was the system for classifying bodies in the [[Solar system]]. | | A recent very public and controversial change was the system for classifying bodies in the [[Solar system]]. |
| − | Under the old classification system, [[Pluto]] was classified as a "[[planet]]", but under the new classification system,<ref>International Astronomical Union, [http://www.iau.org/iau0603.414.0.html IAU 2006 General Assembly: Result of the IAU Resolution votes] Resolutions</ref> it's classification was changed to "[[dwarf planet]]". | + | Under the old classification system, [[Pluto]] was classified as a "[[planet]]", but under the new classification system,<ref>International Astronomical Union, [http://www.iau.org/iau0603.414.0.html IAU 2006 General Assembly: Result of the IAU Resolution votes] Resolutions</ref> its classification was changed to "[[dwarf planet]]". |
| | | | |
| | == Biblical classifications == | | == Biblical classifications == |
| | | | |
| − | Biblical sceptics frequently attempt to find fault with the [[Bible]] which refers, for example, to [[bat]]s as [[bird]]s, among a number of similar apparently-incorrect descriptions. | + | Biblical skeptics frequently attempt to find fault with the [[Bible]] which refers, for example, to [[bat]]s as [[bird]]s, among a number of similar apparently-incorrect descriptions. |
| | However, the writers of the Bible were simply using a different classification system (e.g. ''a bird is a flying creature'') than modern science, which defines birds as creatures with feathers. | | However, the writers of the Bible were simply using a different classification system (e.g. ''a bird is a flying creature'') than modern science, which defines birds as creatures with feathers. |
| | | | |