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"The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"
In 1962 Thomas Kuhn published "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." It outlines his different theories as well as his beliefs on Paradigm Shifts and Incommensurability and the different types of them. -
Incommensurability
Kuhn and Feyerabend worked together while developing their philosophy of incommensurability. The basic requirement needed for theories to be incommensurable, is if they share no common measure. They also described three separate types of incommensurability. Methodological, perceptual/observational supported by their idea that observational evidence cannot provide a common basis for theory comparison, and semantic support by the fact that language changes over time and may not always be used. -
Paradigm Shifts
Paradigm shifts were described as a vital part of a mature science where revolutions and normal science alternate phases and a puzzle-like solution to a theory. Some notable shifts Kuhn mentioned were Aristotle's analysis of motion, Ptolemy's computations of planetary positions, and Maxwell's mathematization of the electromagnetic field. Kuhn also stated that paradigms were "the most novel and least understood aspect of this book (The Structure of Scientific Revolutions)." -
Methodological Incommensurability
Methodological incommensurability can be described as puzzle-solutions from different eras of normal science are evaluated by reference to different paradigms. Another instance of methodological incommensurability is come proponents of paradigms may not agree on the problems it should solve. Kuhn describes five characteristics that provided the ideal shared basis for a theory. Accuracy, consistency, scope, simplicity, and fruitfulness. -
Citations
Bird, Alexander, "Thomas Kuhn", The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Spring 2022 Edition), Edward N. Zalta (ed.), URL = https://plato.stanford.edu/archives/spr2022/entries/thomas-kuhn/.