ИСТИНА

An approach to the problem of a universal soil classification system (UCS) based on the General Theory of Classification is proposed. It is shown that UCS should be genetic, natural, fundamental-and-specific, hierarchical, mappable, and single. Moreover, for these purposes, it should have both differentiating and diagnostic criteria and be based on a “system” soil definition. It is argued that currently real obstacles to UCS are: (1) the lack of understanding of what classification is and (2) the lack of theoretical basis of UCS including a soil definition. It is suggested to use a revised second version of the definition of soils given by V.V. Dokuchaev basing on the General systems Theory in order to create UCS.