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Birth
Thomas Samuel Kuhn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. -
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Life
Thomas Kuhn was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science. He is best known for his influential work, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," which was published in 1962. -
B.S. Physics
Kuhn earned his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Harvard University. -
M.S. Physics
He completed his master's degree in physics at Harvard. -
Ph.D. Physics
Kuhn received his Ph.D. in physics from Harvard with a dissertation titled "The Cohesive Energy of Monovalent Metals as a Function of Their Atomic Quantum Defects." Kuhn, Thomas S. "The Cohesive Energy of Monovalent Metals as a Function of Their Atomic Quantum Defects." Harvard University, 1951. -
The Copernican Revolution
Kuhn published his first book, The Copernican Revolution. Which delves into the historical and intellectual transformations in Western thought regarding planetary astronomy. Kuhn explores the shift from the Ptolemaic to the Copernican system and examines its broader implications on philosophy and culture. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Copernican Revolution: Planetary Astronomy in the Development of Western Thought. Harvard University Press, 1957. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Kuhn published "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," a landmark work that revolutionized the philosophy of science. In this text, he examines the transformative moments in the history of science, challenging the traditional view of scientific development as a linear and cumulative process. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. University of Chicago Press, 1962. -
The Essential Tension
He published "The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change," a collection of his essays on the philosophy of science. This compilation showcases Kuhn's exploration of the inherent tensions within scientific traditions and the dynamics of scientific change. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Essential Tension: Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change. University of Chicago Press, 1977. -
Black-Body Theory
Published, Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuit, provides an in-depth historical analysis of the development of quantum theory during a critical period. Focusing on the years 1894 to 1912, Kuhn examines the evolution of ideas surrounding black-body radiation and the conceptual shifts that ultimately led to the establishment of quantum mechanics. Kuhn, Thomas S. Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity, 1894-1912. University of Chicago Press, 1978. -
Death
Thomas Kuhn passed away on June 17, 1996, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, at the age of 73. -
The Road Since
The Road Since Structure: Philosophical Essays, 1970-1993 was published post-humorously. It is a collection of Thomas Kuhn's later philosophical reflections, spanning over two decades. In this anthology, Kuhn revisits and expands upon his earlier ideas, addressing criticism and further clarifying his views on the nature of scientific inquiry. Kuhn, Thomas S. The Road Since Structure: Philosophical Essays, 1970-1993. University of Chicago Press, 2000.