The notion of a paradigm is similar to the idea of a worldview, ethic, methodology or philosophy. A paradigm shift is a movement away from the foundational assumptions of a worldview. For example, a move away from a linear or a deontological paradigm in safety (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-is-not-a-duty/ ). Once there is a move away from a paradigm there is also a move away from the methods of that paradigm. For example, a shift away from the ‘scientific method’ assumptions of scientism or a shift away from the duty-ethics of safety.
Kuhn and colleagues demonstrated that faith in ‘scientific method’ is an act of faith and that any so-called ‘demonstration’ of certainty in method was not a ‘proof’. Indeed, the key to being scientific in method is being open to what is not known, not the proof of certainty. Similarly, we know that the language and metaphors of science require expertise in Linguistics to know that the language of ‘science’ is anchored to a certain hermeneutic and worldview.
Real Science welcomes the uncertain, embraces the unknown and is not afraid of questioning paradigms. Perhaps a little read of Sheldrake might challenge some safety assumptions (https://argos.vu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/the-science-delusion-rupert-sheldrake.pdf). What I do know, is that when a Safety Science Lab supports the mythology of Zero (https://safetyrisk.net/zero-is-not-noble-moral-or-sense-able/) we know that the thinking involved is NOT science, but faith.
A change in branding is NOT a change in paradigm but a change in marketing. We see this with the collection of groups behind S2, SD, NV, HOP and RE. In none of these is there a shift in paradigm, which is why they all struggle to find a method.
Instead, we get movement in slogans and discourse but no movement in paradigm. I also wrote about the nature of BBS as a paradigm here (https://safetyrisk.net/no-paradigm-shift-with-bbs/) and showed that all these supposed ‘shifts’ were no shift at all. This is what Safety does so well. It explains itself by what it isn’t. And, for an industry with no foundation in critical thinking, it’s a piece of cake to sell snake oil.
If we look at the paradigm of safety it is underpinned by positivism, scientism and behaviourism. This emerged from the foundation of safety in engineering. It was only recently that the that the ASSE changed its name to ASSP (https://www.assp.org/about). Changing the name from ‘Engineers’ to ‘Professionals’ neither makes it a profession or moves any paradigm. Indeed, the paradigm remains exactly the same with just new branding. We see the same with the MAGA cult. MAGA is just a brand, the chaos and confusion of Trump is not making the US ‘great’ but is an isolationist cult. Those who believe in the MAGA brand do so as an act of faith, there is no ‘great’ anything. (Except to greatness of Trump’s corrupt bank balance). There is no paradigm shift in MAGA but more of the same greed and self-interest that brands real science as ‘woke’. This is how the USA now finds itself in a measles epidemic through ignorance and misinformation.
Slogans are not principles and result in no paradigm shift (https://safetyrisk.net/the-seduction-of-slogans-in-safety-2/). If there is to be a paradigm shift there must be a shift in ethical principles, moral meaning and method. These so called ‘differently’ groups discuss none of this.
Unless there is a shift in methodology there can be no shift in method.
If there is no shift in method then whatever cosmetic change is made, it will not be sustainable.
A good way to understand what a paradigm shift looks like is to read up on Quantum Mechanics (https://safetyrisk.net/what-does-quantum-tell-safety/). If you can get your Mind around this revolution in thinking you soon realise that much of what is paraded about as ‘paradigm’ and certainty, is mythology and faith.
The best way to sustain the mythology of a paradigm shift is to NOT study Mythology. The best way to maintain faith in a paradigm is to NOT study the nature of faith. In this regard the silences in Safety are deafening (https://safetyrisk.net/safety-culture-silences/). What we see most often in safety is self-indulgent TALK (https://youtu.be/rd2nuGLUEjU?si=QCCiyK8TnMgnpfUD ) about difference with no paradigm shift and certainly no critical thinking. Indeed, Safety fears any paradigm shift and so is content with marketing as safety. If you frame your view of the world through the lens of safety, there is no paradigm shift.
Most of what passes for change in safety is noise, marketing and spin. Just apply a little bit of critical thinking and look at the assumptions underneath what is being presented. Just apply a little bit of Critical Discourse Analysis (https://safetyrisk.net/critical-theory-critical-thinking-and-safety/) and deconstruct the ‘text’ and ‘semiotics’ of what is presented and you will see no paradigm shift.
The trouble is, in an industry that has no foundation in critical thinking that is constrained by fear of compliance and deviance, there is no paradigm shift.
The SPoR Convention 2025 on Critical Thinking – 15-19 September
This year the SPoR Convention in Canberra will focus on critical thinking (https://safetyrisk.net/spor-convention-2025-canberra-15-to19-september/ ). The program will be led by Dr Craig Ashhurst and Dr Robert Long with all guests and participants contributing to presentation, debate and discussion. The Convention is always characterised by a community of learning.
As part of the Convention, we will explore the meaning of ‘paradigm shift’ and hear from people across the globe who are doing things differently, not talking about ‘doing differently’. Any emphasis on the word ‘doing’ means that there must be a change in method. We will discuss what methods have changed in organisations and workplaces based on a genuine ‘paradigm shift’.
Underneath all of this is the reality that SPoR holds to none of the assumptions of traditional safety. The foundational philosophy of SPoR is opposed to the mythologies of scientism, behaviourism and positivism. And if you come, you will hear from participants in the field who will testify how this ‘works’ (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/it-works-a-new-approach-to-risk-and-safety-book-for-free-download/).
Anyone is welcome to the Convention. One can come for one day, two days or the whole week.
What we can guarantee to those who come, is that you will not have heard anything like this anywhere in safety. What is more, the Convention is always practical, positive and moving. The midweek semiotic walk is always challenging for those who don’t see the world semiotically. In SPoR, we don’t just talk about thinking differently, we enact it in situ. A shift to a semiotic worldview is a paradigm shift for many (https://www.humandymensions.com/product/spor-and-semiotics/).
If you are not afraid of unlearning and re-learning what you don’t know, then this conference is for you.
You can register for the Convention here: https://spor.com.au/spor-convention-2025/
Dr Rob Long
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