Phylogenetic Systematics is the primary framework for organizing biological knowledge, focusing on the evolutionary history of organisms. Phylogenetic analysis involves both constructing an evolutionary tree (evolutionary pattern) and studying the processes that shaped this history (evolutionary processes). Currently, the field is biased towards studying patterns rather than processes, leading to logical and epistemological issues. One issue is the perception of phylogenetics as minimizing ad hoc hypotheses of homoplasy, being seen just as an error. To address these issues, I will incorporate findings from Evolutionary Developmental Biology (Evo-Devo), which explores the mechanisms linking genotype to phenotype through developmental processes. Evo-Devo’s insights are crucial for phylogenetics and will be explored in this project. This research aims to answer fundamental questions in systematics: Is homoplasy more than just non-homology? Should it be considered both a pattern and a process? By exploring these questions, I will apply theoretical arguments to analyze an empirical issue: Dollo’s Law, which states that a complex trait lost during evolution cannot return to its exact ancestral form, once lost. Recent phylogenetic studies have seemingly refuted this law. Therefore, I will investigate further questions such as: Are distinctions between convergence and parallelism significant for discussing Dollo’s ideas? How does convergence impact phylogenetics empirically? Is there an epistemic gap in mapping morphological traits onto DNA-based phylogenetic trees? Overall, this project seeks to provide a new perspective on phylogenetics, emphasizing its explanatory framework and reworking its goals. Innovatively, it will use Evo-Devo research to reshape our understanding of form and classification. Ultimately, the project aims to translate theoretical concepts about explanations and evolution into practical phylogenetic methods.