Three Spheres of Classification Research: Emergence, Encyclopedism, and Ecology

Abstract

Three paths of interdisciplinary work shape the future of classification research. They are emergence, encyclopedism, and ecology. Each of these, in method, approach, and in substantive inquiry outline both the boundaries and the intersections of the many fields that contribute to our overall understanding of classification research. This paper outlines some high level claims of this work, ties it to current research and offers some theoretical applications of these paths.