Paradigm: An OK Concept for an A-OK People

[coberst]

Paradigm: An OK Concept for A-OK People

 

Margaret Masterman has written the essay “The Nature of a Paradigm” for inclusion in the book “Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge”.

 

Her conclusions are: “That there is normal science—and that it is exactly as Kuhn says it is...it is normally a habit-governed, puzzle-solving activity, not a fundamentally upheaving or falsifying activity…‘paradigm’ and not ‘hypothesis’ is now the ‘O.K. word’.”

 

Kuhn’s paradigm is a fundamental and new idea in the philosophy of science and deserves examination and understanding. Masterman contends that comprehending this new concept can best be undertaken by recognizing that ‘paradigm’ falls within three main epistemological categories.

 

As a “set of beliefs”, as a successful metaphysical speculation, as a standard, as a “way of seeing”, as an organizing principle itself, as a map, and “with something which determines a large area of reality”--it is a metaparadigm .

 

Kuhn also defines ‘paradigm’ as a universally recognized scientific achievement, as a concrete achievement, as a set of political institutions, and as likened to an accepted judicial decision—it is a sociological paradigm .

 

Finally, Kuhn speaks of a more concrete form for paradigm as a text book, as tools, as instrumentation, as a grammar, as an analogy, and as a gestalt figure—it is a construct paradigm .

 

If you have not yet read “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions” by Thomas Kuhn you must go directly to your closest college library, get a ‘Friend of the Library’ card for a small yearly fee, and study this book. Anybody wanting to be an enlightened and important person must study this book.

 

Do you agree that anyone wishing to become an enlightened and important person must study this book?

[Tarantism]

i would disagree because many revelations have come without thoughts about how to express those revelations, and sometimes catagories promote sensorship.

 

with that said i think i will read that book.

[coberst]

Well said--I think.

[Tarantism]

thanks co, i would really like to see more hypographers opinions. i guess not many of them browse the POH chambers? :beer:

[Turtle]

thanks co, i would really like to see more hypographers opinions.

Only because you asked Taran. :beer: I read nearly everything here at Hypography but by & large I follow the precept that if I have nothing good to say, I say nothing at all. That's a big wagon that I frequently fall off.:beer:

To whit:

Do you agree that anyone wishing to become an enlightened and important person must study this book?

This question and the discourse that precedes it has no content or organizational merit, aside from recommending a book.

My simplest answer to coberst's question is "no".

[coberst]

Turtle

 

The book has no sex or violence nevertheless for the enquiring mind it is a great read.

[InfiniteNow]

The book has no sex or violence nevertheless for the enquiring mind it is a great read.

Coberst,

 

What exactly is the point of this comment? Turtle had a valid response. You asked,

 

"Do you agree that anyone wishing to become an enlightened and important person must study this book?"

 

He said no. I would say the same. The issue I take is your use of the term "must," but I'm not going to pick nits on that. The larger point is that anyone wishing to become enlightened does not simultaneously wish to be important, as the two conflict, and the individual seeking enlightenment should study themselves and let go of attachment to such things as social status and the perception of others. That's not to say that it's not a good or useful book, just answering the question you posed.

 

 

Cheers. :confused:

[coberst]

InfiniteNow

 

Well put!

[Turtle]

Turtle

 

The book has no sex or violence nevertheless for the enquiring mind it is a great read.

 

:D Coberst you old dog, your soft underbelly of humor is now exposed!:confused: :confused: Boy is it wry! If you were a ***** you could suckle a hoard of litters. :) :) ;) I continue to read your posts with interest.:)