Now this is interesting ...

[Cyrus Johnson]

Sorry for the teaser title folks.

Just came across the post Why are there still monkeys? by philosopher of science John Wilkins. He points out that apparently Linnaeus, classifier extraordinaire, originally wanted to classify humans and apes as part of the same genus, Homo.

It is not pleasing that I placed humans among the primates, but man knows himself. Let us get the words out of the way. It will be equal to me by whatever name they are treated. But I ask you and the whole world a generic difference between men and simians in accordance with the principles of Natural History. I certainly know none. If only someone would tell me one! If I called man an ape or vice versa I would bring together all the theologians against me. Perhaps I ought to have, in accordance with the law of the discipline [of Natural History].

It was later revised so that humans went into a different genus, although a scientific rationale for doing so doesn't appear to exist.

Interesting stuff about what it means to be a 'monkey', and good comments by a poster calling himself (herself?) bonobohead.

Read it yourselves.

[Nicholas]

Interesting find, Cyrus.

[rogue06]

“How much doth the hideous monkey resemble us!” --Quintus Ennius, 240-169BC

[Brandalf85]

"Eeep eeep eeep!! OOh!" - Doubting John....