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 scie...
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