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Birth of Thomas Kuhn
Thomas Kuhn was born on July 18th, 1922 in Cincinnati, Ohio. -
Kuhn at Harvard (1948-1956)
After earning his BS and PhD in Physics from Harvard University, Thomas Kuhn accepted a position there teaching the history of science. -
Kuhn at U.C. Berkeley (1956-1964)
Kuhn accepted a position at U.C. Berkeley where he went on to write some of his most influential works. "The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought." Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1957. "The Function of Measurement in Modern Physical Science." Isis, 52 (1961): 161–193. "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1962. -
"The Copernican Revolution" Published.
In "The Copernican Revolution", Kuhn analyzes the scientific revolution in where the geocentric model of the universe was replaced by the Heliocentric Copernican model. Kuhn establishes some of the basic concepts that he uses in his later works. He discusses the incommensurability of the new Newtonian physics with Aristotelian views, and how the new views were accepted. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought. Harvard Univ., 1957. -
"The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" Published
Perhaps Thomas Kuhn's most influential work, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" introduced the world to paradigms, normal science, extraordinary science and the "paradigm shift" of scientific revolutions. Check out the video linked below for more information on this topic:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tasVTgZc9Gw Kuhn, Thomas. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. The University of Chicago Press, 1970. -
Kuhn at Princeton (1964-1979)
Kuhn moved to Princeton in 1964 and continued his work. Kuhn, T. S. The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1977. ISBN 0-226-45805-9 -
"The Essential Tension" Published
in this work, Kuhn points out the essential tension that exists between scientists desiring to further the accepted current paradigm, and those who practice tradition shattering science. Kuhn describes this tension as a fundamental and required part of the development of science. This work serves to continue his prior work in his phase-model of science. Kuhn, T. S. The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change. Chicago and London: University of Chicago Press, 1977. -
Kuhn at MIT (1979-1991)
In 1979, Kuhn joined MIT. He finished out his career here and retired in 1991. Kuhn, T. S. Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity, 1894-1912. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1987. ISBN 0-226-45800-8 -
"Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity" Published
In "Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Disontinuity, Kuhn uses the history of quantum mechanics to apply his theories concerning the philosophy of science to this burgeoning field. He further hones his theories in this work by examining the history of quantum mechanics, instead of just it's conclusions. It was seen as controversial by many in the field. Kuhn, Thomas Samuel. Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity: 1894-1912: with an Afterword. University of Chicago Press, 1987. -
Death of Thomas Kuhn
Thomas Kuhn died of cancer at the age of 73 on June 17th, 1996 in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
