paradigm shift

Definition

A radical change in thinking from an accepted point of view to a new one, necessitated when new scientific discoveries produce anomalies in the current paradigm.

Etymology

Coined by American historian, physicist and philosopher Thomas Kuhn in The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962).

Example Sentences

• "Near-synonyms: reconceptualization, rethinking; reframing, remodeling"
• "Fuzzy Set Theory was formalised by Professor Lofti Zadeh at the University of California in 1965. What Zadeh proposed is very much a paradigm shift that first gained acceptance in the Far East and its successful application has ensured its adoption around the world."
• "Recently, there has been a radical paradigm shift taking hold in forums that attend to the education of DHH students."