TAXONOMIZE
What to Taxonomize?
To taxonimize is a classify cases within a domain. There will be more general instances and more particular instances – there will be various branches of knowledge, each with its “trunks” and “leaves”. So, to taxonomize one must conceptualize all of the instances of interest as being within a single domain – this may require some creative re- conceptualizing. Remember, there are no natural classifications – they are all contrived.
Why to Taxonomize?
Taxonomizing is one of the forms of systemization, of ordering individual instances into structured schemata. This, in turn, enables a person to identify similarities and dissimilarities, with an emphasis on the similarities. It is the facility to classify information and then use it for action that represents part of the pragmatics of knowing – and knowledge can facilitate control, which Adler saw as the primary human motivation.
When to Taxonomize?
As soon as possible, but (always) in a tentative form. Scientific principles are just guesses with a more substantial evidentiary basis that your own hunches – but, new evidence at some future time will undoubtedly require revising the originally proposed taxonomy.
So, the best time to taxonomize is every time an insight occurs, but always with the awareness that a subsequent insight might imply doing the arrangement all over again.
Whether to Taxonomize?
Order and burrow only to the extent that there is value in a particular level of granularity. Just as there is no intrinsic value in information as such, there is no intrinsic value in structuring it without a purpose. Let the goal determine the time, effort, and elaboration that is appropriate. It has recently (actually since WWII) become fashionable to make distinctions into detailed minutia. This is silly, boring, and often depressing. Don’t!
How to Taxonomize?
The objective view is that classifications reflect “reality” – one of the tenants of positivism, but actually an illusion. So the question to ask is “What do I (or we) want the taxonomy to accomplish?” Use the XML metaphor – it can always be extended if the need arises, so for the moment, keep it to the necessary minimum. Start from the top and work down – clinical trials* have shown this to be the most effective knowledge strategy.
References
Joseph D. Novak
LEARNING, CREATING, AND USING KNOWLEDGE*
Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, 1998