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"Thomas Kuhn: The Evolution of Paradigms."
MLA Citation for Major Works: Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 1962. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change. University of Chicago Press, 1977. -
Birth and Early Education
Thomas Kuhn, born in Cincinnati, Ohio, pursued his studies in physics at Harvard University. Entering Harvard in 1940, he obtained his bachelor's degree in physics in just three years by 1943 and later earned a Ph.D. This academic foundation set the stage for his significant future contributions to the philosophy of science. -
Publication of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Kuhn introduced the concept of "paradigm shifts" and argued that science progresses through revolutionary changes rather than linearly. This book challenged the traditional view of scientific progress and became a cornerstone in the philosophy of science. https://youtu.be/L70T4pQv7P8?si=j74rui1_RJhqaO7y -
Introduction of "Incommensurability"
In the second edition of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, Kuhn elaborated on the idea that different scientific paradigms are often incommensurable, meaning they cannot be easily compared or reconciled. philosophy of science. https://youtu.be/uW5jCyJ2-YE?si=MdI24xo8Ltfm29jZ -
Later Works and Reflections
IThroughout the 1970s and 1980s, Kuhn continued to refine his ideas and engage with critics. In works like The Essential Tension (1977), he explored the complex relationship between scientific traditions and innovations. Kuhn emphasized that the resistance to paradigm shifts is a natural part of scientific progress, as existing paradigms are deeply entrenched in the scientific community. -
Death and Legacy
Thomas Kuhn passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts. His work continues to be a cornerstone in the philosophy of science, influencing fields as diverse as sociology, anthropology, and literary theory. Kuhn's ideas have sparked debates on the nature of scientific knowledge, the role of subjectivity in science, and the social dynamics of scientific communities.