Philosophy Wire by Spiros Kakos [2011-04-14]: Scientists say that there is a clash between two fox species in the Russia: the red and the arctic foxes [http://news.bbc.co.uk/earth/hi/earth_news/newsid_9455000/9455661.stm]. But what does a "species" mean? Are Eskimos and Caucasians different "species"? The definition of "different" species is so tense, that the easiness with which scientists tend to use it is becoming more and more ridiculous... How different are two species which are based on the same chemical elements, are using oxugene to breath, have the same bones, the same structure, the same characteristics, but... different colour of hair?
PS1. How much does humans differ from fox? How many ears do we have more? How much different is our brain from a structural point of view? How many limbs do we have more?
PS2. The fact that when I try to find photos of foxes to put in this post, Megan Fox appears instead in Google, is another funny but crucial part of the species definition problem...
Relevant articles: Evolution and Intelligent Design - The way to an agreement
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