The main difference between the natural classification and the artificial classification is that the natural classification is based on the important points of similarities, while the artificial classification is based on some less important or unimportant points of similarity.

Natural classification versus artificial classification

Classification is a process that is carried out naturally and instinctively by humanity. This process has been carried out from the beginning. It has been used for the precise identification of food, fuel building materials, predators, etc. since then. More than 100,000 fungi, a few thousand bacteria, about 3,000,000 species of green plants and other organisms have already been recognized. There are three main types of classification. They are the phylogenetic, the natural and the artificial. The classifications “artificial” and “natural” differ basically in degree and not in type. The classification depends on the similarity in each case. Natural classification is much more than just an index. The things that are classified by natural classification are ordered according to their total morphological similarities, and the characteristics that have been discovered by observation become signs of many differences or similarities. On the contrary, some prominent and easily observable characteristic in an artificial classification is taken as a sign of dissimulation or similarity.

Comparative chart

Natural classification is a type of classification that is based on the important points of similarities. It is one in which the qualities that are intrinsic / innate or that are important for the existence of the thing or things to be divided and are adopted as the ‘difference’ or as the characteristic of the arrangement, for example, dividing the ‘ living creatures’ in vertebrates and invertebrates. It is that kind of classification that exhibits the inherent properties of the things that are classified and separates them according to their natural likeness or difference.

What is artificial classification ?

Artificial classification is a type of classification that occurs according to some minor or unimportant points of similarity. It is one in which something unplanned is adopted such as the “difference”, for example, the size of a book. It is a stable classification and only provides limited information. This type of classification does not change with the advancement of knowledge. Also, no new jobs can be added to this classification type. Some prominent and easily observable characteristics in this type of classification are taken as a sign of dissimulation or similarity.

Key differences

1. The classification that is based on the important points of similarity is called natural classification, while the classification that occurs according to some less important or unimportant points of similarity is called artificial classification.
2. The natural classification is basically the grouping of the thesis according to the order and plan of nature, on the other hand, the artificial classification is basically the grouping of things that occurs according to the purpose of the individual in question.
3. Natural classification is a type of objective classification. On the contrary, artificial classification is a type of subjective classification.
4. Almost all characters are considered in the natural classification, on the other hand, only a few characters are considered in the artificial classification.
5. Natural classification is a type of classification that can change with the advance of knowledge; on the other hand, artificial classification is a type of classification that does not change with the advancement of knowledge.
6. Natural classification provides a lot of useful information, while artificial classification provides only limited information.
7. Recent advances in natural classification can be added; on the other hand, no new jobs can be added in the artificial classification.
8. The natural classification is closely related to the phylogenetic classification, while the artificial classification is not related to the phylogenetic classification.
9. The natural classification is designed for extensive knowledge and thoughts, on the other hand, the artificial classification is designed for the specific purpose of mechanizing the layout.
10. Natural classification is a language of thoughts, minds, and ideas; on the other hand, artificial classification is a language of ordinary numbers.
11. The Bentham and Hooker classification are examples of natural classification; on the other hand, plants classified Linnaeus are examples of artificial classification.

All of the above discussion sums up that both the “natural” and the “artificial” classifications show the difference in degree. The first is based on the important points of similarities, and almost all characters are considered in it, while the second occurs according to some less important or unimportant points of similarity and only a few characters are considered.