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Thomas Samuel Kuhn Birth
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA on July 18, 1922 -
Thomas Kuhn's Shift to History of Science
Mr. Kuhn initially pursued physics at Harvard University, eventually obtaining a Ph.D. in solid-state physics in 1949. During his time at Harvard, Mr. Kuhn encountered the work of George Sarton, a Belgian-American historian of science who is considered a founder of the discipline. Sarton emphasized the importance of studying science not just for its technical achievements but also for its historical context and its development as a human endeavor. -
Publishes his first book, "The Copernican Revolution"
A central concept introduced in "The Copernican Revolution" is the idea of a paradigm. A paradigm represents a specific scientific field's dominant scientific framework, including theories, methodologies, and assumptions. Mr. Kuhn argued that science doesn't progress linearly, but rather through periods of "normal science" where scientists work within a prevailing paradigm, refining and expanding its reach. -
Publishes "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"
It challenged the prevailing view of scientific progress as a linear, cumulative process and introduced the now-famous concept of "paradigm shifts". He divided scientific progress into two distinct phases: Normal Science and Scientific Revolutions. During normal science, scientists strive to solve puzzles and extend the explanatory power of the existing paradigm. When scientific anomalies occur and challenge the foundations of the dominant paradigm, a scientific revolution occurs. -
Revised Edition of "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions"
The revision addressed some of the criticisms that had arisen since the books initial publication in 1962. One major criticism of the original work was that it overemphasized the role of paradigms, making scientific progress seem too rigid. In the revised edition, Kuhn acknowledged this concern. He added sections that discussed the role of individual scientists, their creativity, and the importance of specific discoveries in driving scientific change. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fV-vh9y_TQs -
Thomas Kuhn and the George Sarton Medal
Mr. Kuhn received the prestigious George Sarton Medal from the History of Science Society. This award served as a significant recognition of his contributions to the field, particularly his groundbreaking work on scientific revolutions and paradigms. Established in 1955, the George Sarton Medal is the most distinguished award bestowed by the History of Science Society. It is named after George Sarton, a prominent scholar considered a founder of the modern discipline of history of science. -
Thomas Samuel Kuhn death
Died in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA on June 17, 1996. Aged 73. Kuhn was diagnosed with lung cancer in 1994.