Which field studies the general principles of scientific classification?

Taxonomy is the field that focuses on the classification, naming, and organization of living organisms based on shared characteristics. It establishes a system that allows scientists and researchers to categorize and identify organisms, ranging from species to broader groups like genera and families. This scientific classification serves as a critical tool for studying biodiversity and understanding the relationships between different life forms.

In taxonomy, various principles and rules are applied to systematically arrange organisms, making it easier to communicate and share information regarding biological entities. This process is fundamental to the biological sciences, as it creates a unified framework that aids in the study of ecology, evolution, and conservation.

While phylogenetics examines the evolutionary relationships among species, and evolution studies how organisms change over time, they do not directly address the principles of classification itself. Botany, on the other hand, is the study of plants and includes aspects of taxonomy but is not solely focused on the principles of scientific classification across all living organisms.