Paradigm Case

Paradigm

What is paradigm?

The first concept of the theme "Complexity and Reality" is paradigm. According to the dictionary's definition, paradigm is "a framework containing the basic assumptions, ways of thinking, and methodology that are commonly accepted by members of a scientific community; such a cognitive framework shared by members of any discipline or group: the company's business paradigm." After this definition and the explanation of the class materials, I understand that a paradigm defines one reality, a one specific reality for one person, one country, one company. This reality includes a specific language, habits, markers, references, way of thinking, principles, methods and so on. The paradigm is the common believes shared by a community at a specific time. Paradigm is like an organism, it is not fixed and completely defined, it changes and evolves, adapting to the different conditions. However, when the conditions and the environment where it is inserted changes and a new reality is created, a new paradigm appears. There are different reasons for the creation of a new paradigm: a discover, evolution of the times, science challenges.

Paradigm is one of the main demonstrations of the existence of complexity in our world. "Understanding the paradigm of a culture, a country or a person will help you anticipate their beliefs, strengths and limitations.", understand a paradigm will help us to have to be more aware of changes, expect them and better adapt. Understand a paradigm helps us to adapt to the complexity of different realities.

Kuhn' cycle and ideas

Thomas Samuel Kuhn was a scientific philosopher and historian, who developed some thoughts about the existence of paradigms. He published the essay "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" in 1962 that reflects about the science as ‘puzzle-solving', where there are different phases and different paradigms exist and are created.

Thomas defends that the science can be described as a "puzzle solving", where there are two main phases, the "normal" and "revolutionary" phase. The "normal" phase refers to the period of cumulative progress on the puzzle solving. This phase thrives only with strong commitment to the shared beliefs, values, instruments and techniques, and metaphysics. The scientific community has to be very strong and strongly convinced for the "normal" phase exists. Otherwise doubts and questioning will appear and new realities may appear.

The "revolutionary" phase consists on the appearing of new information and progress. This progress has to be qualitatively