The claim that the humanities are unfalsifiable and therefore lack real paradigm shifts is a complex one. While it's true that the humanities often deal with interpretations of human culture, society, and history that are not easily subjected to the same kind of empirical testing as natural sciences, it doesn't mean that they are completely unfalsifiable or lack paradigm shifts.
In the humanities, paradigms can shift based on new evidence, reinterpretations of existing evidence, changes in cultural perspectives, and shifts in theoretical frameworks. For example, in literary studies, a new critical theory can emerge that challenges and overturns established interpretations of literary works. Similarly, in history, new archaeological discoveries or archival documents can lead to revisions of historical narratives.
While the criteria for what constitutes a paradigm shift in the humanities may differ from those in the natural sciences, the concept still applies. Paradigm shifts in the humanities involve significant changes in the way scholars understand and interpret human culture, society, and history. These shifts may not always involve the same kind of empirical testing or validation as in the natural sciences, but they are nevertheless important for advancing knowledge and understanding in these fields.
