The Cognitive Spiral: On the Epistemic Evolution Paradigm of Human Civilization—Cyclical Transitions from Application, Mathematics to Philosophically Defined Leaps

This paper proposes a four-stage model of epistemic evolution in human civilization—the "Cognitive Spiral Model"—to elucidate the intrinsic driving mechanisms of scientific and technological development. The model posits that human cognition does not accumulate linearly but undergoes a cyclical process of "problem definition → mathematical computation → boundary emergence → redefinition." Historical evidence demonstrates that every major scientific revolution originates from a philosophical restructuring of the problem itself, rather than advancements in mathematical techniques. Since the 20th century, the efficacy of mathematical tools has dominated research paradigms, fostering a "computationalist" culture that has obscured the fundamental role of "problem definition." Currently, fields such as foundational physics, consciousness studies, and artificial intelligence have entered a "hyper-complex phase," where the inefficiency of mathematical tools has escalated due to the absence of clear problem frameworks. This paper argues that human civilization is advancing toward a stage of "epistemic self-awareness"—only by proactively returning to philosophy to redefine problems can the next leap in knowledge be initiated. This model not only explains the history of science but also provides metacognitive guidance for future paradigm shifts.