ABSTRACT
Philosophies of soil classification are guided by existing knowledge and pragmatic circumstances. Soil is a natural entity that connects the inorganic minerals of earth to the organic organisms of life, and is therefore germane to several academic disciplines. Each of these disciplines seeks to identify and classify soil in relation to its entity of study. Pedologists have established, through definition and classification, that soil is an entity worthy of independent academic recognition. People who seek nourishment and utilitarian support from soil identify and classify it by criteria that relate to what it does as it interacts with their attempts to utilize land resources. Political entities seek guidance in evaluating the impact of policies and regulations on soil-related natural resources. Soil classification provides a link between soil samples and the natural entities on the land surfaces of earth, and is a communicator of soil properties as spatially represented on maps of diverse scales and in soil property aggregation. No single classification can equally serve all who seek to study and obtain sustenance from soil. Several classifications, each guided by a philosophy of service to an identified audience, are required.
