The Paradigms crisis and the ressignification of knowledge in the XXI century

Abstract

The article discusses the production of knowledge in the twenty-first century, after the crisis between the classical and the emerging paradigm. It shows the incapability of science to solve major problems arising from scientific advances, particularly the phenomenon of social exclusion. Analyzes the principle of complexity and its relation to the construction of a new ethic for the future. Shows ineffectiveness of disciplinarity to tackle the problems arising from scientific advances of this century and emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach for a first step in solving them and, as implementing exemplary values the principle of transdisciplinarity. Proposes the concepts of permaculture, sustainable development, knowledge biology and social ecology as tools to fulfill the transdisciplinary vision of knowledge production. It concludes that, beside the redefinition of academic knowledge, the expansion of forms of participatory democracy is an alternative to public management to solve the problem of social exclusion as a mechanism of popular participation through which communities operate in the state and public control government, from bottom to the top, and can create new prospects for public life.