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Copyright © 1997, Jay Ligda.  All rights reserved.  Published by Humans in the Universe and Jay Ligda.

Paradigm (Defined)

      The term paradigm came from the Greek word paradeigma which means pattern.  It was originally used to mean "a conceptual framework shared by a community of scientists and providing them with model problems and solutions" (Capra, 1988, p. 22).  Eventually it spread to outside the scientific community and took on a very broad meaning.  Capra (1988) refers to paradigm as, "the totality of thoughts, perceptions, and values that form a particular vision of reality, a vision that is the basis of the way a society organizes itself" (p. 22).

      When a frame of reference changes it is called a paradigm shift.  Two frames of reference that conflict and contradict each other are called mutually exclusive paradigms.  Paradigms provide a frame of orientation for living.  They are not the truth but are rather models of reality.  I read somewhere (although I can't remember where) that enlightenment occurs when one realized the arbitrary nature of ones paradigm (source unknown).  When this happens, one experiences the non-verbal experience of reality (Capra, 1975).

by Jay Ligda

(This work is a all or part of an original work first published/written for John. F. Kennedy University:  Final Integrative Project., Mar1996.)


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References

  • Capra, F. (1988).  Uncommon Wisdom.  New York, NY:  Simon & Schuster.
  • Capra, F. (1975).  The Tao of Physics.  New York, NY:  Bantam.
  • Pearson, D. & Shaw, S. (1982).  Life Extension:  A Practical Scientific Approach.  New York, NY:  Warner.

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