The development of biology and ecology in the light of T. Kuhn's concept of paradigm

The article considers the applicability of Thomas Kuhn’s concept of paradigms and scientific revolutions to biology. The author conducts a comparative analysis of the views of T. Kuhn, K. Popper and V.S. Stepin on the issue and considers the relevance of the term «paradigmatic grafting» suggested by VS. Stepin to the development of biology. The author believes that it is through «paradigmatic grafting», which implies the transferring of scientific understanding of the world, ideals, and norms of research from one science to another, that biology and ecology commonly obtain new knowledge. The analysis of «paradigmatic grafting» in ecology is illustrated in this article by the case of information ecology or ecology of the digital environment, a new and rapidly developing field of research.