The fractal engine approach is nicely shown in the picture below. I borrowed it from a site of Macromedia, amongst other a supplier of fractal engines.
Using only 'absolutism' (like 'rationalism') you keep after a fast start only 'dribbling on the spot'. Even after ever diminishing tiny jumps (Kuhnian paradigm shift).

'Running in seemingly growing circles'. The process 'scientific change' suggests to speed up, although the jumps even in faster speed get smaller and smaller.

This model can be seen as a mathematical 'growth-hallucination'.