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for Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996)
Was an influential American philosopher and historian of science whose work fundamentally transformed the understanding of scientific progress. Born on July 18, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kuhn initially trained as a physicist, earning his Ph.D. from Harvard University in 1949. He later shifted his focus to the history and philosophy of science. -
The Copernican Revolution
Nicolaus Copernicus' heliocentric theory transformed scientific thought and shifted Western intellectual history. Kuhn explores how it challenged geocentric views, altered the framework for interpreting astronomical observations, and laid the foundation for his later work on paradigm shifts in the philosophy of science.
Source:
Thomas S. The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought. Harvard University Press, 1957. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962).
Thomas Kuhn's "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962) introduced "paradigm shifts," describing fundamental changes in scientific fields when existing paradigms can't explain new anomalies. These shifts mark major scientific progress revolutions involving transformative changes that redefine the scientific landscape.
Source:
Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 1962 -
Incommensurability (1962)
Kuhn introduced the concept of "incommensurability," which refers to the idea that competing paradigms are often so fundamentally different in their terms, methodologies, and standards of evidence that they cannot be directly compared. This means that the shift from one paradigm to another involves a change in the scientific community's worldview, making it difficult to objectively determine which paradigm is superior based on neutral criteria. -
Second Edition of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Kuhn addressed criticisms of his original theories, further explained key concepts such as "incommensurability," and emphasized that scientific progress occurs through transformative revolutions that fundamentally change scientific inquiry. -
Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity
This work explores the development of quantum mechanics during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, focusing on how scientists challenged existing physics theories. It illustrates how changes in theoretical frameworks transformed the understanding of nature at the atomic level, supporting the broader thesis about scientific revolutions.
Source:
Kuhn, Thomas S. Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity, 1894-1912. University of Chicago Press, 1978. -
The Essential Tension
Kuhn's collection of essays explores how scientific communities balance adherence to tradition and the need for change. He uses case studies to illustrate how tensions between conservatism and innovation drive scientific progress, deepening his argument that scientific revolutions are about inherent tensions and negotiations within scientific communities. "The Essential Tension" critically explores the nuanced processes that shape scientific knowledge and evolution.