Definition of paradigm

The word "paradigm" originated in the 15th century from the Greek words "παρά" (para), meaning "beside" or "alongside," and "δειγμα" (deigma), meaning "pattern" or "example." In ancient Greek, the term " Paradeigma" referred to a model or pattern used as an example or norm. The word entered modern Western languages through Latin, where it was translated as "paradigma." Initially, it referred to a model or pattern in mathematics, particularly in geometry. In the 17th century, the term gained popularity in the scientific community, where it was used to describe a conceptual framework or model that explains a particular phenomenon. In the 20th century, the term was popularized by philosopher Thomas Kuhn in his book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962), where he used it to describe a fundamental shift in scientific thinking or perspective. Since then, the term has been widely used in various fields, including science, philosophy, and social sciences, to refer to a widely accepted concept or worldview.