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Thomas Kuhn ( - June 17, 1996)
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio on July 18, 1922. Graduated from Harvard with a degree in physics. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions Pub. 1962
In 1962 Thomas Kuhn published his most famous work The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. This book was highly influential and introduced concept of a "paradigm shift." -
Views on Scientific Progress
Thomas Kuhn believed that science was subject to all the opinions and biases of the scientists. Science can never be completely objected and will always be influenced by culture, economics, and personal beliefs. -
Paradigm Shift
A paradigm shift is defined as a fundamental change in approach or underlying assumptions. -
Four Phases
There are four phases to a paradigm shift. Phase one is “business as usual.” There is a widely accepted theory or believe and there is little to no effort in changing it. Phase two is scientists find holes in the theory. They can no longer look past the things that just don’t add up. Phase 3 is when scientists pour their energy into creating new better theories and ideas. Phase four is the paradigm shift where the new idea becomes the norm. -
Citations
Kuhn, Thomas S. The Structure of Scientific Revolutions. The University of Chicago Press, 2015. -
Kuhn Video
