Zoological Museum, Moscow State University, Bol'shaya Nikitskaya ul. 6, Moscow 103009, Russia

Abstract

Taxonomic names can be described semantically with two constituencies - by denotation (organisms that are denoted by names) and by expressed sense. It is necessary to distinguish two categories of general names; attributive and referentative (Schwartz, 1977). The former expresses sense only through intension (Lewis, 1946) - totality of attributes defining a class of organisms denoted by a name, i.e.extension of name. Membership of extension is determined by characters (i.e.extension). Intension of attributive name defines a monothetic group. Referentative taxonomic terms express sense through intension and archaetype. In this case intension is connected with polythetic group, therefore denotation of referentative name can not be presented by extension, i.e. by a set that is determined by character. Denotation of referentative general terms ontologically corresponds to natural kinds. In the centre of given type of groups is an idea of archaetype - a sort of generalized character for dynamically changing systems. Archaetype is a generalized idea of organism as a constructive unit, analysed from the position of its design, i.e. structure of its parts and elements. It includes the idea of constructing the structure, its constancy and dynamic potentials.