paradigmamuutusi

Paradigmamuutusi, often translated as paradigm shift, refers to a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline. The term was popularized by the philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn in his 1962 book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." Kuhn argued that scientific progress is not a linear accumulation of knowledge but rather a series of revolutions that overthrow existing paradigms and establish new ones.

A paradigm, in Kuhn's view, is a set of beliefs, values, techniques, and assumptions shared by a scientific community. It provides a framework for understanding the world and conducting research. During periods of "normal science," scientists work within an established paradigm, solving puzzles and extending its reach. However, anomalies – observations that cannot be explained by the current paradigm – can accumulate. When these anomalies become too numerous or significant, a crisis can emerge, leading to the breakdown of the old paradigm and the search for a new one.

The transition from one paradigm to another is not always a smooth or rational process. Kuhn described it as a "scientific revolution," during which the scientific community undergoes a period of profound upheaval and disagreement. Eventually, a new paradigm emerges that can better explain the anomalies and offer a more compelling view of the natural world. Examples of paradigm shifts include the Copernican revolution in astronomy, the Darwinian revolution in biology, and the quantum revolution in physics. These shifts represent radical transformations in how scientists perceive reality and approach their work.