Paradigm shift number 79
I first came into contact with this
phrase a littler over 15 years ago when I started my MA (in Mass
Communication) studies, although I was unable to pronounce it
correctly I really liked to use it and since then it has become part
of the Lingua Franca of those who think they're in the know.
Paradigm shift as a term is associated with Thomas Kuhn and is used to denote a
change in agreed understanding, a great example is how Copernicus
moved understanding on from the planets revolving around the earth of
course the all powerful (at the time) Catholic church considered
this heresy – and it is interesting to reflect on how 'fact'
changed as the new beliefs were absorbed into everyday understanding.
Progress does not follow a smooth developmental line and in fact a Paradigm shift occurs ( perhaps a bit like valence levels).
New Pope -Francis the First, a Paradigm Shift?
So are we due for a shift with the new
pope – is he untainted?
Sad to report that the new pope (who has taken the name Francis I) is not
a black woman and despite coming from South America his antecedents
are white Italians.
Is he untainted by scandal far from it
– some say that he had good relations with the Argentinian military junta and he is
a Jesuit, a division within the Roman Catholic church which has something of mixed press .
Having looked a littler into religion I
am somewhat of the opinion that the church is used (or has been
used) as a method of keeping the proletariat in harness – this in
the modern age is not sustainable – a reformist head is required
and preferably one who is less than 76 years old
