Multi Paradigm and Meta Paradigm Approaches to Interdisciplinary Studies

Abstract

Following Kuhn's seminal work, "the structure of scientific revolution", challenging accumulation and progress in science, paradigm concept has been widely used in social science and popularized in scientific community. In this article, possibility of multi/meta paradigm approach in interdisciplinary studies is sought. Reviewing different perspectives to paradigms including paradigm incommensurability, possibility of dialogue between different paradigms, i.e. multi/meta paradigm approach, is examined. The enquiry is comparative-descriptive and critically scrutinizes previous writings in the area. Eventually, it will be shown that a major problem in literature on paradigm is loose application of the term. Taking into account the context of application, Vagueness can be reduced. Furthermore, Multi/Meta paradigm approach is paradoxical and ignores the essential characteristic of paradigm. in interdisciplinary studies, multiple paradigms cannot be used simultaneously.

Keywords

• multi paradigm
• meta paradigm
• kuhn
• interdisciplinarity
• theoretical pluralism