Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

Daotar t1_j7l9rdx wrote

I love Kuhn, but he is not the originator of the word "paradigm". He certainly gave it a specific meaning in terms of the history and philosophy of science, but it's a pretty old word. The people using it as a buzz word are probably not using it in the Kuhnian sense.

146

zenithtreader t1_j7ls7i7 wrote

In addition to that, language is not a fixed paradigm, it is defined by people using it, not the other way around. When enough people use a word in the "wrong" way, it becomes the correct and normal way to use it.

54

Prototypist1 t1_j7mjzju wrote

This is the Aladeen answer.

22

Dragon_Fisting t1_j7n7akt wrote

This is generally true and true of English, but language is also political and academic to varying degrees, so it can in fact be fixed in place. Many languages, particularly ones that are strongly tied to specific nations or groups, are governed in some degree from the top down, with institutions that regulate the development of a language. The Académie Française, Royal Spanish Academy, etc.

5

FlyingApple31 t1_j7nqoic wrote

Oof... I got down voted to hell for arguing something similar earlier this week, but I'm not steeped enough in sources to be able to reference them on demand. Always a relief to find ideas reiterated elsewhere.

3

hOprah_Winfree-carr t1_j7n8pct wrote

Beyond a critical point and time it often becomes denotatively defined as correct, which is not always what we mean by 'correct.' In terms of clarity or consistency the popular choice often is wrong. If one takes issue, specifically, with the popular usage of a word, then obviously the meaning of 'correct' is functional, not denotative. So the reminder that lexicography follows vernacular, while true, is meaningless in that context.

1

Bjd1207 t1_j7ln71f wrote

I thought I was gonna be the only in here expressing my love of Kuhn. Best class in my undergrad degree was Philosophy of the History of Science and as you expect he was the core of the curriculum. Growing up in a family of engineers, I really solidified my love of philosophy during that seminar

32

BeTheTortoise t1_j7mj35p wrote

My favorite class was the philosophy of the history of the science of the mathematics of the literature of the culture

−9

theJanzitor t1_j7ohy2n wrote

Aw lighten up fellas. Sometimes names of stuff can be funny. Like the People’s Liberation Army Navy Marine Corps Aviators.

10

clairelecric t1_j7luc7e wrote

I think they mean to say that this use of the word paradigm originated with him.

paradigm (n.) late 15c., "an example, a model," from Late Latin paradigma "pattern, example," especially in grammar, from Greek paradeigma "pattern, model; precedent, example," from paradeiknynai "exhibit, represent," literally "show side by side," from para- "beside" (see para- (1)) + deiknynai "to show" (cognate with Latin dicere "to show;" from PIE root *deik- "to show," also "pronounce solemnly"). In 20c. it began to be used in the more specific philosophical sense of "logical or conceptual structure serving as a form of thought within a given area of experience," especially in Thomas Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962). Related: Paradigmatic; paradigmatical.

https://www.etymonline.com/word/paradigm

12

Alimbiquated t1_j7omh3l wrote

I learned it studying ancient Greek, banging my head against verb paradigms.

1

[deleted] t1_j7lf3wm wrote

[deleted]

−3

sk3pt1c t1_j7mtmtc wrote

We greeks still use the word 😅

Παράδειγμα is used as “example”.

9

SicTim t1_j7lnxdl wrote

The only time I've heard the word "paradigm" used repeatedly, consistently, and appropriately was when studying Latin. Also, fuck studying Latin.

−1

Gh0st1y t1_j7m3gys wrote

Latin's awesome idk what you mean

7