WHY A PARADIGM?

COMMUNICATION

Lacking a universal telepathic ability, we communicate with words, pictures, symbols, and models. These things represent our thoughts but they are not the actual thoughts. When we receive a communication, we perceive the words, pictures, symbols, or models and then try to interpret the thought that is represented. There is nothing in our perception that can give us an exact replica of another's thoughts. Everything is an interpretation.

MODELS

A paradigm is a model. A model is an attempt to communicate information about an object or idea by creating a simplified replica using words, mathematics, 2D or 3D images, or computer programs. The author of the paradigm may have a definite idea in mind but those who perceive the paradigm must create their own interpretation which may or may not conform accurately to the original idea. This transfer of ideas through perception and interpretation is subject to error but it is all we have to work with.

IDEAS

An idea cannot be communicated directly but it can be represented in a paradigm. The paradigm can represent an idea in logical, self consistent, terms. In doing so, the paradigm should be interpreted as a possibility rather than as reality itself. Every paradigm is the representation of a possibility.

SCIENCE

Science is a set of theories, hypotheses, and "laws." The so-called "laws" of science are actually models or paradigms which earn the label "law" when they prove accurate and reproducible by other scientists. The science models are not reality itself but simply simulate certain observed properties of reality. An example is "Force=Mass*Acceleration" which models the relationship between force, mass and acceleration, formulated by Isaac Newton. It does not explain why this is so but simply models the observed phenomenon as a mathematical relationship. All scientific models or "laws" are simulations or paradigms.

SYMBOLIC DEVICES

We communicate with each other using symbolic devices such as words, mathematics, art, music, etc. We use these devices to share our perceptions and ideas. We each must interpret these symbolic devices to the best of our ability to understand or to appreciate their purposes. In the case of science, we must interpret the words, models, or paradigms in order to understand why we experience the things that we do and to understand the source of our perceptions. But are the models or paradigms true to reality? They are really only constructions which attempt to simulate reality. What do we know of reality? We only have our own direct experience, or we have the models or paradigms which have been composed by others to simulate what they understand from their own experiences.

INTERPRETATION

The paradigm is like a map. It is not the territory. It is subject to interpretation. But when it comes to interpreting each others ideas, it is all we have. We must somehow see beyond the paradigm to see the truth within our own minds. If it is a good paradigm, it can lead us in our effort to look within. The paradigm should not be taken as literal truth but as an anagogic metaphor which leads you beyond conventional thinking in order to explore the transcendental reality which cannot be expressed in words.

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