Paradigm Shift
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-28
CORE DEFINITION
A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline. It is a concept in the philosophy of science that was introduced and brought into the common lexicon by the American physicist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn. Even though Kuhn restricted the use of the term to the natural sciences, the concept of a paradigm shift has also been used in numerous non-scientific contexts.
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A paradigm shift is a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline. It is a concept in the philosophy of science that was introduced and brought into the common lexicon by the American physicist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn. Even though Kuhn restricted the use of the term to the natural sciences, the concept of a paradigm shift has also been used in numerous non-scientific contexts.
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Scientific progress is not a smooth accumulation, but rather 'normal science' undergoes a crisis under the accumulation of anomalies, and eventually a new paradigm replaces the old one (incommensurability). When patching the old framework fails, it is necessary to change fundamental assumptions rather than add patches.
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- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paradigm_shiftverified
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