|
Links |
|
Links |
|||
|
|
- Introduction: The scientific culture often acts as if there are no anomalies |
|
|||
|
|
Paradigms are sets of theories & assumptions that shape
& underlie
explanations, especially scientific explanations, including the general images & assumptions of reality which shape those theories |
|
|||
|
|
AKA: Perspective: an overall approach or viewpoint toward
a subject which includes
a set of questions to be asked about the subject a general theoretical approach explaining the nature of the subject a set of values relating to the subject a paradigm |
|
|||
|
|
Competing Paradigms: competition of ideas |
|
|||
|
|
Astronomy: collapsing universe
vs. expanding universe
Paleontology: great comet vs. predation cold blooded vs warm blooded dinosaurs Biology: Darwinians vs. evolutionary shock Sociology: Functionalism vs. Conflict Theory vs. Symbolic Interactionism |
|
|||
|
|
Paradigm Shifts: see the old in a new light & see new things, period |
|
|||
|
|
Examples:
World views changed from geo-centric to helio-centric polytheism to monotheism flat to round world earth centric to helio centric magic to science demons to mental illness Creationism to evolution Newtonian physics to Einsteinian physics |
|
|||
|
|
Paradigms are also known as Perspectives, Schools, School of Thought, etc. |
|
|||
|
|
Science does not embrace "One Truth" because human truth is
always contested & relative
Rather, what is true is constantly changing But we act as if science is One Truth |
|
|||
|
|
Because there is no absolute truth,
& because people have competing ideas on what is closest to truth, we have paradigms |
|
|||
|
|
Chart on Paradigms, Theories, Laws, & Disciplines |
|
|||
|
|
Sociology is a multiple paradigm science: Functionalism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic-Interactionism |
|
|||
|
|
In-class project on paradigms |
|
|||
|
|
Examples |
|
|||
|
|
See Also: Paradigms & Sociological Theory |
|
|||
| See Also: Social Laws |
|
||||
| Top
|
|
| Paradigm
|
Set of theoretical
assumptions that shape & underlie explanations of why society/the world
is the way it is
Examples: The Expanding Universe Functionalism |
| Theory
|
Explanation
of cause & effects that encompasses relationships btwn 2 or more facts
Examples: Suicide is caused by isolation/lack of integration Racism is taught/learned Crime is caused by frustrated expectations Poverty is caused by the concentration of wealth |
| Law
|
Theory
or part of a theory that is well established & therefore has greater
acceptance by scientific community
There are no laws in the social sciences Examples: Nothing can move faster than light To every action, there is an equal & opposite reaction |
| Discipline | A recognized area of academic exploration; Examples: sociology, biology, literature |