Thomas Kuhn
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
(1962)
Kuhn and Paradigms…
• In The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas Kuhn argues that science evolves –
not in a logically linear fashion but through
dramatic shifts in how scientists see the world
• He coins the term “paradigm” and “paradigm
shift”
• Newtonian Physics
• Newtonian physics to Quantum physics
Is Science Objective
• Thomas Kuhn challenges the idea that science
is objective
• Kuhn in ‘The structure of Scientific
Revolutions’ introduces the idea of scientists
at certain times in history working in a
paradigm.
A pardigm shift
• “A paradigm as used by Kuhn refers to the
framework of accepted ideas in which they
operate. A paradigm might include ideas on
truth, validity and methodology. Kuhn argues
that scientist will tend to work within the
paradigm and thus seek evidence which
supports the paradigm until such time as
anomalies are so strong as to precipitate a
paradigm shift or revolution. A new ‘normal
science paradigm’ is established and the
process begins again”.