subparadigm

A subparadigm is a concept used within the framework of Thomas Kuhn's philosophy of science, specifically in relation to scientific revolutions and paradigm shifts. Kuhn proposed that scientific progress occurs through periods of normal science, where a dominant paradigm guides research, punctuated by revolutionary periods where the existing paradigm is overthrown and replaced by a new one. A subparadigm can be understood as a subordinate or emergent set of beliefs, theories, and practices that exists within, or challenges, a larger, established paradigm.

Subparadigms may arise as anomalies accumulate within the dominant paradigm, leading some scientists to explore alternative explanations or methodologies. These emerging frameworks might initially be seen as extensions or minor modifications of the existing paradigm but can eventually develop into distinct conceptual systems. They represent a form of scientific activity that is not fully integrated into the mainstream paradigm but is not yet a complete replacement for it. The development and eventual acceptance or rejection of a subparadigm can be a crucial step in the transition from one scientific paradigm to another. It highlights the dynamic and often contested nature of scientific knowledge and its evolution.