Paradigm shift facts for kids
A paradigm shift is a huge change in how people think about something important. It's like when a whole group of scientists or thinkers suddenly sees the world in a completely new way. This idea was first talked about by a smart physicist and philosopher named Thomas Kuhn. You can also call it a scientific revolution.
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What is a Paradigm Shift?
A paradigm shift happens when old ideas or ways of doing things are replaced by new ones. It's not just a small update; it's a fundamental change. Imagine if everyone believed the sky was purple, and then suddenly, everyone realized it was blue! That would be a huge shift in thinking.
Thomas Kuhn said that science doesn't just grow steadily. Instead, it has periods of "normal science" where everyone agrees on the basic rules. Then, sometimes, problems come up that the old rules can't explain. This leads to a crisis, and eventually, a new way of thinking (a new paradigm) takes over.
Big Examples in History
Throughout history, there have been many famous paradigm shifts. These moments changed how we understand the world.
Earth at the Center?
For a very long time, people believed the Earth was the center of the universe. They thought the Sun, stars, and planets all revolved around us.
- In 1543, scientists started to realize this wasn't true. They discovered that the Sun is actually at the center of our solar system, and the Earth revolves around it. This was a massive change in how we saw our place in the cosmos.
Germs, Not Bad Air
Before the late 1800s, many people thought diseases were caused by "bad air" or smells. This was called the miasma theory.
- Around 1880, the germ theory of disease became widely accepted. Scientists proved that tiny living things, like bacteria and viruses, cause many illnesses. This changed medicine forever and led to much better ways to treat and prevent sickness.
The Big Bang Idea
Scientists have long wondered how the universe began. Many different ideas existed.
- In 1964, scientists found something called cosmic microwave background radiation. This discovery strongly supported the Big Bang theory. The Big Bang theory says the universe started from a very hot, dense point and has been expanding ever since.
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Images for kids
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Thomas Kuhn used the duck-rabbit optical illusion to show how a paradigm shift can make you see the same thing in a completely different way.
See also
In Spanish: Cambio de paradigma para niños
