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Birth
Thomas Kuhn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio to Samuel Kuhn and Minette Stroock Kuhn. (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) -
Introduction
Thomas Kuhn initially pursued his education in physics. He then switched to history of science, and as his career developed he moved to philosophy of science. (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) -
Education
In 1943, he graduated from Harvard University. He continued his time at Harvard applying his education towards RADAR research during World War II. He gained his master’s degree in physics in 1946, and his doctorate in 1949. (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) -
Career at Berkeley
Kuhn became professor at the University of California at Berkeley, having moved there in 1956 to take a position in history of science, in the philosophy department. (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) This is where Kuhn's interest in philosophy of science grew. -
Kuhn's Scientific Revolutions - Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25rGGigObwk
The following video briefly describes Thomas Kuhn's life as well as his renowned book, The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
At Berkeley, he wrote and published his best known and most influential work: "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, one of the most cited academic books of all time." (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) The introduction of Kuhn's theories such as incommensurability and paradigm shifts, fundamentally changed how the philosophy and history of science are viewed. (Godfrey-Smith, 87) -
Major Achievements
Kuhn was awarded the George Sarton Medal by the History of Science Society. He was also awarded numerous honorary doctorates. (Stanford Encyclopedia, 2018) -
Death
In 1994, Kuhn was diagnosed with lung cancer, of which he died in 1996.