Question

a single hierarchy of all organisms, each differing slightly from the ones above it and below it was known as
the great chain of being
binomial nomenclature
essentialism
catastrophism

Explanation:

The Great Chain of Being is a concept that posits a single hierarchy of all organisms with small differences between adjacent levels. Binomial nomenclature is a naming - system for organisms, essentialism is about the existence of essences, and catastrophism is related to geological catastrophes.

Answer:

the Great Chain of Being