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Thomas Kuhn Born
Kuhn was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. His father, Samuel Kuhn, was a graduate of Harvard and MIT. His mother, Minette Kuhn, was a graduate of Vassar College. -
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Early Education and High School
Thomas Kuhn attended Kindergarten-5th grade at Lincoln School, which was a progressive private school in Manhattan, NY. 6th-9th grade he switched schools and attended yet another progressive private school, Hessian Hills, which was 40 miles away from his first school. 10th grade he moved AGAIN to Solebury School, which was a private boarding school in Pennsylvania. Lastly, he finished school in Taft School, another boarding school in Watertown, CT. -
Harvard University
Thomas Kuhn was a straight A student in high school and got accepted into Harvard! He was unsure if he should study mathematics or physics, his father convinced his physics was the way to go. During the beginning of his first year he had a hard time and received a "C" in his class. After approaching his professor, he was instructed to go through problems and make sure he understands them. At the end of the year, that advice paid off because he finished with an "A". -
BS in Physics
World War 2 happened in the midst of Thomas getting his degree in physics. He began taking summer classes to speed up the process of him getting his degree. Finally, he graduated with a BS in physics with highest honor (summa cum laude). -
War Work (Intermission)
The summer after graduated, Thomas Kuhn joined a radio research lab theoretical group. He was tasked with devising countermeasures against enemy radars. Afterward, was sent to UK to work in a lab. He then went to France with a royal air force officer to study recently captured german radar installations. Lastly, he went on to Germany. -
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Return to Harvard
After his war work, Thomas Kuhn went back to Harvard to finish his graduate degree. He completed his masters in physics and then a few years after, his doctorate. -
Epiphany
Somewhere in the midst of him getting his graduate degree, he developed a liking for Philosophy. He decided to continue to pursue Physics because it was easy. Also,Thomas Kuhn was invited to deliver a History of Science course for undergrads. During his teachings, he had an epiphany while teaching Aristotles' ideas of motion. More so, he was trying to make sense of it. He realized he couldn't because of his recent knowledge of physics, which included Newton's views. -
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Teaching at Harvard
Thomas Kuhn joined a fellowship at Harvard and at the end, Harvard offered him a teaching position, teaching general courses. One year later he was appointed assistant professor. -
University of California at Berkeley
After Harvard did not offer Thomas Kuhn tenure after many years of teaching there, he decided to accept a position at University of California where he became assistant professor in Philosophy and History departments. -
Copernican Revolution
Thomas Kuhn publishes his first book based off of Copernican Revolution. He scrutinized Copernicus' famous book with his absurd claim that the Earth orbits the Sun. He also believed the only reason people preferred Copernicus view was because of aesthetic reasons instead of scientific. -
Promotion
Thomas Kuhn was finally promoted to full professor of History of Science. This disappointed him, because he liked Philosophy more and wanted that job instead. However, he still accepted the position for history of science. -
Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas Kuhn's most famous work was published. This is where the paradigm shifts first came about in Kuhn's work and which essentially, made his name. He said the concept was in his mind for years after teaching about Aristotle and his "absurd" views on motion. He realized that Newton and Galileo changed he framework for modern views of motion. This is significant because this book revolutionized history and philosophy of science. His book is one of the most cited academic books. -
Structure of Scientific Revolutions (Importance)
The publishing of this book revolutionized modern history and philosophy of science. Kuhn's concept of paradigm shifts was extended to other subjects which include: political science, economics and sociology. As mentioned previously, his book was one of the most cited academic books of all time. He also brought about a new style of philosophy. Because of this, Thomas Kuhn is considered one of the most influential scientists/philosophers of his time. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn8cCDtVd5w) -
Princeton University
Thomas Kuhn moved to Princeton University as M. Taylor Pyne professor of Philosophy and History of Science! -
MIT Honor
Thomas Kuhn became Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor of Philosophy at MIT. -
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Teaching at MIT
Thomas Kuhn left Princeton and started to teach at MIT. He retired in 1991. -
Thomas Kuhn Death
Thomas Kuhn passed away at the age of 73 due to cancer, which he struggled with for a couple of years.