Thomas S. Kuhn

Birth of Thomas S. Kuhn and best known accolade

Jul 18, 1922

Thomas Samuel Kuhn born 18 July 1922; in Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. Died 17 June 1996; Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S. Kuhn was a historian and philosopher of science and is best known for his theory of the paradigm shift. His theory provided a model to the scientific community on understanding how the sciences advance based on historical observations.

Education and First Publication

1943

Kuhn established himself in academia earning his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics at Harvard in 1943 and 1946 but obtained his Ph.D. in history of science in 1949. As he developed his positions, he transitioned into the philosophy of science. In keeping with his background in history of science he turned towards history of astronomy and published his first book, “The Copernican Revolution”. His engaging of this book would create his awakening for his groundbreaking theory.

Publication of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"

1962

Kuhn’s 1962 publishing of, “The Structure of Scientific Revolutions”, created the monumental scientific realization of the observable model of the paradigm shift. The model presented an outline for five conceivable aspects within scientific theory for cause of advancement and understanding. This model provided new insight into how science advances and replaced the original linear accumulation of knowledge belief system. https://youtu.be/tasVTgZc9Gw

Incommensurability Dilemma

1962

With his publishing of the theory of the paradigm shift, Kuhn created dilemma in attempting to convey incommensurability. He, along with Feyerabend, coined the term incommensurability to explain the issue with comparing previous theories from empiricist viewpoint. Kuhn identifies three factors of incommensurability: methodological, observational, and semantic. His insight into these factors would influence his later work until the time of his death.