Friday, 25 April 2025

A study note on episteme (of Foucault) and paradigm (Kuhn) in social science philosophy

A study note on episteme (of Foucault) and paradigm (Kuhn) in social science philosophy (information from perplexity.ai)


My question 1: "What are episteme (of Foucault) and paradigm (of Kuhn) at all with reference to research philosophy in social science?"

The reply: "Episteme (in Foucault’s sense) and paradigm (in Kuhn’s sense) are key concepts in research philosophy in social science, but they differ significantly in meaning and focus.

Episteme (Foucault)

  • Definition: For Michel Foucault, an episteme is the underlying epistemological structure or framework that defines the conditions of possibility for knowledge in a particular historical period. It is not just knowledge itself, but the set of rules, assumptions, and relationships that govern what counts as knowledge and how it can be produced and understood at that time27.

  • Characteristics:

    • It shapes and limits the types of knowledge, discourses, and sciences that can exist in a given era.

    • Epistemes are historically specific and discontinuous; Foucault identified distinct epistemes in Western history, such as the Renaissance, Classical, and Modern epistemes, each with different ways of organizing knowledge27.

    • Unlike a linear progression or cumulative development, epistemes represent shifts in the very conditions of knowledge, meaning what is thinkable or sayable changes fundamentally.

    • Episteme is linked to power: knowledge and power are intertwined, as knowledge systems help control and organize individuals within society1.

  • In Research Philosophy: Foucault’s episteme challenges traditional views of knowledge as objective and cumulative, emphasizing instead the historical and power-laden conditions that enable certain knowledge forms while excluding others17.

Paradigm (Kuhn)

  • Definition: Thomas Kuhn’s paradigm refers to the set of shared beliefs, values, techniques, and exemplars that define scientific practice within a community at a given time. It is a "disciplinary matrix" that guides what questions are asked, what methods are used, and how results are interpreted345.

  • Characteristics:

    • Paradigms structure “normal science,” the routine work of scientists solving puzzles within the accepted framework.

    • Scientific progress is not steady and cumulative but occurs through paradigm shifts—revolutions where an existing paradigm is replaced by a new one due to anomalies the old paradigm cannot explain35.

    • Paradigms are incommensurable, meaning rival paradigms are based on different concepts and standards, making them difficult to compare directly3.

    • Consensus within the scientific community is crucial for a paradigm’s acceptance and continuation34.

  • In Research Philosophy: Kuhn’s paradigm concept highlights how scientific knowledge is socially constructed within communities, shaped by shared commitments rather than purely objective criteria. It underscores the historical and social dynamics of scientific change34.

Comparison Summary













In sum, Foucault’s episteme refers to the deep, historical conditions that make knowledge possible and shape discourses broadly in society, emphasizing power-knowledge relations. Kuhn’s paradigm refers to the shared frameworks within scientific communities that guide normal science and undergo revolutionary shifts when anomalies arise. Both concepts highlight the non-linear, socially embedded nature of knowledge but operate at different levels and with different emphases in social science research philosophy."


My question 2: "Illustrate the topic a bit more with regard to Housing Studies and Business Management."

The reply: "To illustrate Foucault’s concept of episteme and Kuhn’s concept of paradigm in the contexts of Housing Studies and Business Management, we can consider how these frameworks shape knowledge, research approaches, and policy in these fields.

Foucault’s Episteme in Housing Studies and Business Management

  • Housing Studies:
    Foucault’s episteme refers to the deep, historically specific conditions that define what counts as knowledge and how it is organized in a particular era. In housing studies, this means that the ways housing problems, policies, and urban spaces are understood are shaped by the prevailing episteme of the time. For example, the historical shift from viewing housing simply as shelter to seeing it as a social and political issue reflects changes in the episteme governing housing knowledge. The sanitation and spatial organization of cities in the 18th century, such as the grid system in Caen, France, exemplify how knowledge about housing and urban planning was embedded in specific social and institutional logics that shaped what was thinkable and actionable regarding housing and urban space1. This also includes how housing is categorized, regulated, and linked to social order and power relations.

  • Business Management:
    In business management, Foucault’s episteme would highlight how management knowledge and practices are historically contingent and shaped by broader socio-political forces. For instance, the rise of scientific management in the early 20th century reflected an episteme that valued efficiency, measurement, and control, which structured what counted as valid managerial knowledge. Later shifts to human relations or strategic management reflect new epistemes that reconfigure the understanding of organizations, workers, and markets. The episteme shapes not only the content of management theories but also the institutional practices and power relations within organizations.

Kuhn’s Paradigm in Housing Studies and Business Management

  • Housing Studies:
    Kuhn’s paradigm refers to the shared frameworks and methodologies within a research community that guide normal inquiry until anomalies provoke a paradigm shift. In housing studies, different paradigms coexist or succeed each other, shaping research and policy. For example, the USA’s housing paradigms include:

    • Housing as an economic good (market-driven, quantitative approaches)

    • Housing as home (qualitative, focusing on meaning and identity)

    • Housing as a human right (normative, legal frameworks)

    • Housing as providing social order (addressing segregation and community dynamics)

    • Housing as one land use in a functional system (planning and environmental perspectives)
      Each paradigm frames what questions are asked, what methods are used, and what policies are considered legitimate2. Shifts between these paradigms can be seen as Kuhnian paradigm shifts in how housing problems and solutions are conceptualized.

  • Business Management:
    Kuhn’s paradigm concept applies to business management through the dominant schools of thought that guide research and practice. For example:

    • The classical paradigm emphasizing hierarchical control and efficiency

    • The human relations paradigm focusing on employee motivation and organizational culture

    • The contingency paradigm stressing situational factors and flexibility

    • The knowledge management paradigm prioritizing information and innovation
      These paradigms guide managerial theories, research methods, and organizational practices. When existing paradigms fail to address new challenges (e.g., digital transformation), shifts occur, representing Kuhnian revolutions in management thought.


Conclusion

In both Housing Studies and Business Management, Foucault’s episteme highlights the historically specific, power-laden conditions that make certain knowledge possible and legitimate, influencing how problems and solutions are framed at a deep societal level. Kuhn’s paradigm focuses on the shared frameworks within research communities that guide inquiry and practice, which can shift through revolutionary changes when existing paradigms no longer suffice. Applying these concepts helps reveal the complex, dynamic nature of knowledge production and policy-making in social sciences and applied fields like housing and management."




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