What is the science of classification called?

The science of classification is called taxonomy. Taxonomy involves the systematic categorization of organisms into groups based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships. This classification system helps biologists organize and communicate about the vast diversity of life on Earth by providing a framework for naming and grouping species. Taxonomists employ a hierarchical structure, organizing living organisms into domains, kingdoms, phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species.

While cladistics, phylogeny, and nomenclature are related concepts within the field of biology, they denote different aspects. Cladistics is a method within taxonomy used to group organisms based on common ancestry and evolutionary relationships. Phylogeny refers to the evolutionary history and relationships among species or groups, often depicted in a phylogenetic tree. Nomenclature pertains specifically to the naming of organisms and the rules governing these names. Therefore, taxonomy as a broader concept encompasses the classification of organisms, making it the correct term for the science of classification.