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Citations
Kuhn, Thomas. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 1986. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Thomas S. Kuhn". Encyclopedia Britannica, 14 Jul. 2022, Bird, Alexander, "Thomas Kuhn", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2022 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), plato.stanford.edu. Accessed 3 September 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L70T4pQv7P8
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The Birth and Death of Thomas Kuhn
Thomas Kuhn was one of the most brilliant minds we know, he helped shape modern science and practices still used today. Kuhn was born on July 18th, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Once Kuhn was old enough to study, he recognized his great love for math and science. Kuhn attended Harvard University, receiving his bachelor’s and master’s in physics, and additionally a doctorate in the history of science. Kuhn later passed away on June 17th, 1996 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. -
Harvard
Kuhn taught a science course for undergraduates in the humanities at Harvard from 1948 until 1956. Kuhn would, later on, teach at other institutions such as the University of California and Berkeley. -
Named a Guggenheim Fellow
In 1954, Kuhn was named a Guggenheim Fellow by the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation. The Guggenheim Fellowships are grants that have been awarded annually since 1925, to those "who have demonstrated exceptional capacity for productive scholarship or exceptional creative ability in the arts." -
The Publication of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"
While teaching at Berkeley Kuhn published his best-known and most influential work "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." In this compelling book, Kuhn argued that science does not progress in a linear accumulation of new knowledge, but undergoes periodic revolutions, also called "paradigm shifts." Kuhn, Thomas. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. 2nd ed., University of Chicago Press, 1986. -
Impact on the vocabulary of the philosophy of science
Additionally, Kuhn's work brought an enormous impact on the vocabulary of the philosophy of science. Kuhn raised the word "paradigm" itself from a term used in certain forms of linguistics to its current broader meaning. -
The Importance of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions."
In "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," Kuhn explains his idea of a paradigm shift. He explains how a paradigm shift begins when scientists find an anomaly that can’t be hidden or fit into the current model. This could be a new theory that doesn’t match the current paradigm, or simply an observation that doesn’t line up with what was expected. -
The American Academy of Arts and Sciences
In 1963, Kuhn was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. The American Academy of Arts and Sciences is one of the oldest learned societies in the United States. Founded in 1780 during the American Revolution and headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The American Academy of Arts and Science was also founded by Founding Fathers such as John Adams, John Hancock, James Bowdoin, and Andrew Oliver just to name a few. -
The American Philosophical Society
In 1974, Kuhn was elected to the American Philosophical Society. The American Philosophical Society was founded in 1743 in Philadelphia, this well-established scholarly organization is known for the promotion of knowledge in the sciences and humanities through research, professional meetings, publications, library resources, and community outreach. As well as, being Considered the first learned society in the United States. -
The National Academy of Sciences
In 1979, Kuhn was elected to the United States National Academy of Sciences. Founded in 1863, as a result of an Act of Congress that was approved by Abraham Lincoln. Being elected to the National Academy is one of the highest honors in the scientific field, new members are selected by current members and based on their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research. -
The George Sarton Medal
In 1982, Kuhn was awarded the George Sarton Medal by the History of Science Society. The George Sarton Medal is awarded annually since 1955 and is only awarded to a historian of science from the international community who is distinguished for "a lifetime of scholarly achievement" in the field.
