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| Paradigms |
Paradigms
A ‘paradigm’ can be defined as a system of related assumptions and values that determine your outlook or approach to associated matters. The paradigm of modern public education in the western world includes the concepts of a classroom full of students with a teacher standing at the front, with daily lessons, and with tests that measure the learning progress of the students. When assumptions or values replace old ones, the phrase ‘paradigm shift’ is sometimes used.
Often we are not aware that we are operating within a paradigm. We often assume that our existing situation and view of the world represent the natural order of things.
Some paradigms can be quite constructive. The concept of the rule of law and the concept of inalienable human rights are valuable paradigms fostered by the United Nations.
Some paradigms can have quite negative consequences. For thousands of years:
1. The economic paradigm of slavery was accepted world wide.
2. Beating children and wives was accepted as a natural part of a man’s behaviour.
3. Social classes were (and often still are) used to determine a person’s social worth.
Once a paradigm is pervasive in your environment, it is very difficult to realize when and how your thinking is being biased by that paradigm. One approach to detecting paradigms is to read broadly from authors in different settings. Often you will be surprised to see that it is possible to take a completely different approach to the same situation. One of the goals of clear thinking is to identify, and counter, the effects of baseless and negative paradigms. Once such a paradigm is recognized, you can make appropriate corrections to your own thought processes, and over time you can try to clarify the perceptions of society at large.
A ‘paradigm’ can be defined as a system of related assumptions and values that determine your outlook or approach to associated matters. The paradigm of modern public education in the western world includes the concepts of a classroom full of students with a teacher standing at the front, with daily lessons, and with tests that measure the learning progress of the students. When assumptions or values replace old ones, the phrase ‘paradigm shift’ is sometimes used.
Often we are not aware that we are operating within a paradigm. We often assume that our existing situation and view of the world represent the natural order of things.
Some paradigms can be quite constructive. The concept of the rule of law and the concept of inalienable human rights are valuable paradigms fostered by the United Nations.
Some paradigms can have quite negative consequences. For thousands of years:
1. The economic paradigm of slavery was accepted world wide.
2. Beating children and wives was accepted as a natural part of a man’s behaviour.
3. Social classes were (and often still are) used to determine a person’s social worth.
Once a paradigm is pervasive in your environment, it is very difficult to realize when and how your thinking is being biased by that paradigm. One approach to detecting paradigms is to read broadly from authors in different settings. Often you will be surprised to see that it is possible to take a completely different approach to the same situation. One of the goals of clear thinking is to identify, and counter, the effects of baseless and negative paradigms. Once such a paradigm is recognized, you can make appropriate corrections to your own thought processes, and over time you can try to clarify the perceptions of society at large.
