About Lesson
The history of classification
Early scientists and biologists like Aristotle (384-322 BC) classified living things on a few observable characteristics and personal benefits derived from them.
Plants were grouped into poisonous, edibles, herbs, shrubs and trees.
Animals were classified based on their feeding habits- omnivores, herbivores and carnivores.
This is called artificial classification.
The shortcomings of this artificial classification were overcome by modern classification developed by Carolus Linnaeus (1707- 1778). Carolus Linnaeus based his classification of living things on the evolutionary changes and relationships between an organism and its ancestors which led to the diversity of living organisms we have today.