Final answer:
The chain of being is a hierarchical concept, while Linnaean classification groups organisms based on observable characteristics. Linnaeus believed in fixed species created by a divine Creator.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chain of being is a concept from medieval and Renaissance philosophy that describes a hierarchical system of living organisms, ranging from simple to complex forms. It posits that all beings are arranged in a linear order, with God at the top and minerals at the bottom. The Linnean system of classification, developed by Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, differs from the chain of being in that it groups organisms based on their observable characteristics, such as anatomical features. It classifies organisms into a hierarchy of increasingly specific groups, including kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, and species. Linnaeus' views on species variation and biological evolution were in line with the prevailing thought of his time, which rejected the idea of species changing over time. He believed that species were fixed and unchangeable, and that they were created by a divine Creator.