![]() The word paradigm has several synonyms and these help to understand the work and its usage. A paradigm is not rigid or mechanical in its approach but has a measure of flexibility. The etymology of paradigm describes the word as Greek in origin and means, example or sample. This paradigm of our current solar system was vastly different in the days of the early explorers.Ī paradigm is really more than a theory and several theories can be attached to one paradigm. The heliocentric solar system is the theory that the Earth and planets revolve around the Sun. A prime example of this is the rejection of Galileo’s theory of a heliocentric Solar System. In this situation there is a refusal to see past a model of thinking that exists and the new model or paradigm is not accepted. Then Albert Einstein published his paper on ‘Special Relativity’ and challenged the rules published by Newtonian Mechanics. At the end of the nineteenth century it was claimed that there was nothing new in science and that scientists should just keep on measuring and updating data. New paradigms become dramatic in their content when they occur in sciences that appear stable and defined. When a perception changes a paradigm shift occurs and the normal image can ‘flip’ from one state of reality to another. Then revolution comes along and reality, the existing paradigm, undergoes change. Thomas Kuhn added to his ‘Structure of Scientific Revolution’ the idea that science goes through periods of so called ‘normal science’ when existing paradigms and models dominate the scientific world. It also acts as guidance to the interpretation of results. The paradigm helps show how experiments should be conducted and what equipment is best to use in that situation. ![]() ![]() It shows what is to be observed, how the observation should be conducted and begins the primary theory. The paradigm provides the model or the pattern for the community that is investigating its theories. Paradigms are usually behind theories and allow the scientist to look at the situation and investigate the theory from every angle. He said ‘a paradigm is used to describe a set of concepts within a scientific discipline at any one time.’ It is a science philosophy, a set of concepts or thought patterns including theories, research and standards to contribute to a field of science or philosophy. The Historian of Science, Thomas Kuhn, gave a basic definition to the meaning of paradigm. However, these high and lofty disciplines of science can also be applied to everyday life and help with understanding of the meaning of our environment. Paradigms and theories are the backbone of science and the discussion points of great masterminds like Einstein and Newton. These two concepts operate with each other but have their differences. A paradigm can have a number of theories within its framework and the paradigm acts as a reference point for the theory. The theory explains the phenomenon based on certain criteria while the paradigm provides the background or the frame that allows a theory to be tested and measured. Paradigms and theories go hand in hand to explain concepts in science and assist academics in their work to define different phenomenon.
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