Incommensurability between paradigms from "summary" of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn
The concept of incommensurability between paradigms is a central idea in understanding scientific revolutions. When scientists operate within a certain paradigm, they are guided by a set of shared beliefs, values, and methods that define the boundaries of their research. These paradigms provide a framework for understanding the world and conducting scientific inquiry. However, when a scientific revolution occurs, and a new paradigm emerges to replace the old one, it can be challenging to compare and evaluate the two paradigms. This is because they are based on different assumptions, methodologies, and goals, making it difficult to establish a common ground for comparison. Incommensurability between paradigms means that there is no shared language or criteria for evaluating competing paradigms. This can lead to misunderstandings, disagreements, and even conflicts among scientists who belong to different paradigms. It also means that progress in science is not always linear or cumulative, as each paradigm represents a different way of understanding and explaining the world. Kuhn argues that when a new paradigm emerges, it does not simply build upon or extend the old paradigm, but rather replaces it with a fundamentally different way of seeing the world. This discontinuity between paradigms makes it challenging to compare and reconcile the two, leading to what Kuhn calls a "crisis of incomprehensibility." Incommensurability between paradigms highlights the subjective and interpretive nature of scientific knowledge. It challenges the idea of objective truth and suggests that scientific theories are not necessarily better or worse than one another, but rather different ways of interpreting and understanding the world. This concept forces us to reconsider how we define progress and innovation in science, and to acknowledge the role of interpretation and perspective in shaping scientific knowledge.
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