dge theory; Wegener used theories from the land bridge to come up with his own theory that accounted for the continents and went further to explain formation of mountains, volcanoes and earthquakes. This paradigms shift does not prove or disprove anything because what it is explaining is only a theory. The shift is only a shift in the belief of the theory held within a paradigm. Because of ocean exploration can Wegeners theory be accepted more enthusiastically over the land bridge theory. There is nobody alive today to prove either theory thus the land bridge theory and the plate tectonic theory are both valid. One theory just expands and explains more than the other and can be more believable.After careful consideration of both theories and the explanation of Kuhns notion of a paradigm shift I believe that Wegeners theory of plate tectonics from the land bridge theory was a paradigm shift. The land bridge theory explained the presence of fossils on different continents with the knowledge of the time; there was no overhead picture of how South America looked when fit next to Africa. Wegener saw mountains, knew what the continents looked like from above, and felt earthquakes to know that there could possibly be something more the Earth. Since he could not prove the tectonic theory without going underwater he fell short but after some underwater discoveries it was found he was right. Because of new information and technology a theory can be discredited and a new one can replace it causing a paradigm shift in thought. It is up to the individual to accept or refute the specific paradigm but everyone must know that there is more than one explanation for things that occur in nature. Alfred Wegener theory of plate tectonics clearly represents Thomas Kuhns idea of paradigm shift of a theory....
