Abstract

The aim of the paper is to present a theoretical framework which would make it possible to embed the conflict between the natural and human sciences into a broader historical context. With the help of categories such as paradigmatic disciplines, mixed discipline of the paradigm, metaphorical realm of the paradigm, and elusive realm of the paradigm we describe the dynamics of changes in the classification of scientific disciplines which accompany a scientific revolution. Our approach is thus an alternative to T. S. Kuhn’s sociological theory of scientific revolutions. Instead by a social conflict between the proponents and opponents of the new paradigm we interpret the scientific revolution as a cognitive conflict between the mixed disciplines and the metaphorical realm of the old paradigm