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Known For
Kuhn is known for his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions written in 1962, as being one of the most influential works of history and philosophy of the 20th century. -
Early Education
Kuhn earned his B.A. in 1943 and his M.A. in 1946 in physics at Harvard University. -
Post Education
Kuhn later earned his PhD at Harvard, but in history of science not physics. -
Taught History or Philosophy of Science
Kuhn taught history or philosophy of science at the following schools:
1) Harvard University 1951-56
2) University of California Berkeley 1956-64
3) Princeton University 1964-79
4) Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1979-91 -
The Copernican Revolution
Kuhn wrote his 1st book in 1957, in which he studies the development of the heliocentric theory of the solar system during the Renaissance. -
The Copernican Revolution
Kuhn wrote his 1st book in 1957, in which he studies the development of the heliocentric theory of the solar system during the Renaissance. -
The Creation of the Paradigm
Kuhn defined paradigms as conceptual world-views, that consist of formal theories, classic experiments, and trusted methods in his book 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions'. In our textbook, 'Philosophy of Science' pg 411, paradigm is explained as universally recognized scientific achievements that for a time provide model problems and solutions to a community of practitioners. Scientists use paradigms to as an umbrella term to explain theories they can't explain realistically. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Scientists typically start with a prevailing paradigm of a subject and tries to extend its scope by refining its theories, explaining its puzzling data, and establishing more precise measures of standards for it. Eventually, however, they run it to the paradigm's limitations by discovering its anomalies.This discovery triggers a crisis that can only be resolved by an intellectual revolution that replaces that paradigm with another. Basically, paradigm shifts lead to Scientific Revolutions. -
Questioning the Conception of Scientific Progress
In his book 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions',Kuhn questions the traditional concept of scientific progress as well,being defined as a gradual addition of knowledge based on rationally chosen experimental frameworks.He argues instead that the paradigm a scientist has determines the kinds of experiments done, types of questions asked,and problems considered important.A shift of paradigms changes the fundamental concept of how science is done making the new changes radically different. -
Thesis of Incommensurability
Kuhn states in his thesis that, the comparison of the two theories from separate times can not be compared with the other for each theory has its own set of standards applied to it. -
Cont. Thesis of Incommensurability
In his thesis Kuhn also states that there are 3 types of incommensurability (1)methodological:no common measure because the methods of comparison & evaluation change (2)observational:evidence can't provide a common basis for theory comparison,since perceptual experience is theory-dependent (3)semantic:the languages of theories from different periods of science may not be inter-translatable, preventing the comparison of theories. -
Later Works
Kuhn later in his life, writes two more books that are a collection of essays stated as follows:
1) The Essential Tension 1977
2)Black-Body Theory and the Quantum Discontinuity, a technical study 1978 -
Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor of Philosophy
Kuhn was named as the Laurence S. Rockefeller Professor of Philosophy at MIT. -
