Science progresses through revolutions from "summary" of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn
Thomas S. Kuhn proposed a revolutionary concept in the field of science - the idea that science progresses through revolutions. According to Kuhn, scientific progress is not a smooth and continuous process, but rather characterized by periods of normal science punctuated by revolutionary changes. These revolutions occur when the existing scientific paradigm is no longer able to explain new observations and evidence. In normal science, scientists work within a particular paradigm or framework of understanding. They use this paradigm to guide their research and interpretation of data. Normal science is largely puzzle-solving within the confines of the existing paradigm. However, as more data is gathered and anomalies begin to accumulate, cracks in the paradigm start to appear. When anomalies cannot be explained within the existing paradigm, scientists may begin to question its validity. This can lead to a crisis point where the old paradigm is no longer able to account for new observations. It is at this point that a scientific revolution occurs. During a revolution, the old paradigm is replaced by a new one that is better able to explain the available evidence. Scientific revolutions are not just a matter of adding new information to the existing framework. Instead, they involve a fundamental shift in how scientists view the world. This shift is often accompanied by resistance from scientists who are invested in the old paradigm. However, as more evidence accumulates in favor of the new paradigm, it eventually becomes accepted by the scientific community. Kuhn's concept of scientific revolutions challenges the traditional view of science as a cumulative and linear process. Instead, he suggests that science is marked by periods of stability followed by dramatic changes in understanding. By recognizing the role of revolutions in scientific progress, we can gain a deeper understanding of how science evolves over time.
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