Thomas Kuhn, July 18,1922-June 17, 1996

By iansiegel

  • "The structure of Scientific Revolutions"

    In Thomas Kuhn's book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions", he created a thesis that science is a process of paradigm shifts. Kuhn believed science is not linear and often goes through phases of revolutionary scientific discoveries. He believed science was influenced by social status, politics, gender and racial bias. Kuhn came up with the idea that paradigms serve to organize scientific data and they serve to preserve certain scientific theories and progress.

  • "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"

    Kuhn thought science had four phases.
    Phase 1: "normal science" business as usual where scientists solve puzzles and anomalies.
    Phase 2: Anomalies add up and create unexplained conclusions. "model crisis" where scientists engage in a debate about anomalies.
    Phase 3: New solutions and ways of thinking emerge to resolve previous scientific anomalies. "the model revolution", a scientific revolution is on the brink.
    Phase 4: "paradigm change". New ways of thinking replaces old ways.

  • "The Essential Tension"

    Kuhn's book expanded and elaborated on his concept of paradigm shifts and how they affect scientific development and advancement. He believed that tradition referred to normal science and scientists attributed their work to solving puzzles and anomalies and review existing knowledge but not seeking new knowledge. The book explains the relationship between modern science and tradition and how they're important in their own respect. His work delves into the importance of scientific roles.

  • "The Essential Tension"

    Kuhns book "The Essential Tension" is about the scientific relationship between tradition and innovation. He thought that there was a constant play between the two in regards to scientific discoveries. His book expands on key details from his previous book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" where he described how paradigm shifts were created and their importance. With tradition being stuck in their own ways, revolution was essential for new scientific advancements.

  • Citations and Youtube link

    Kuhn, T. S. (1962). The structure of scientific revolutions. University of Chicago Press: Chicago. Kuhn, Thomas S. (Thomas Samuel). The Essential Tension : Selected Studies in Scientific Tradition and Change. University of Chicago Press, 1977, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn8cCDtVd5w