Thomas S. Kuhn
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
"Science progresses through revolutionary paradigm shifts, not simple accumulation of knowledge."
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Paradigm Shifts
A scientific revolution is a fundamental shift in worldview. Choose a historical case to experience the paradigm shift process.
Geocentric
PARADIGM ESTABLISHED
Normal Science
Normal Science
- Paradigm Guidance
- Puzzle Solving
- Cumulative Progress
- Articulating Paradigm
Revolutionary Science
Revolutionary Science
- Crisis and paradigm transformation
- Questioning Foundations
- Paradigm Shift
Accumulation of Anomalies
During normal science, anomalies that the paradigm cannot explain occasionally appear. As anomalies accumulate, the paradigm's credibility gradually decreases, eventually leading to crisis.
Incommensurability
Concepts between different paradigms cannot be directly "translated". The same word has fundamentally different meanings in different paradigms because they are embedded in different theoretical networks.
NEWTONIAN
Mass is conserved. It is an intrinsic property of matter, independent of velocity.
EINSTEINIAN
Mass is energy. It increases with velocity and is convertible to energy.
The Cyclical Model of Scientific Progress
Science does not progress linearly towards truth. It cycles through periods of stability and rupture.
Further Investigation
Recommended Reading
"The proliferation of competing articulations, the willingness to try anything..."
The Copernican Revolution
Thomas Kuhn
"Kuhn's earlier work. It serves as a detailed case study of a paradigm shift, laying the groundwork for his general theory."
Against Method
Paul Feyerabend
"A more radical take on scientific progress. Feyerabend argues that 'anything goes' and that strict adherence to method hinders discovery."
The Logic of Scientific Discovery
Karl Popper
"The counterpoint to Kuhn. Popper argues for falsificationism and steady progress, contrasting with Kuhn's revolutionary cycles."