Thomas Kuhn & Paradigms (By Kris Haamer)

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

By Kris Haamer

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Thomas Kuhn (1922 – 1996)

• Physicist and Philosopher

• Harvard Ph.D in Physics

• Guggenheim Fellow

• Professor at

• Berkeley, Princeton, MIT

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Kuhn’s Legacy

• The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (1962)

• Devised the ideas of Normal Science, Paradigms and Paradigm Shifts

• Influenced virtually all of philosophy of science after him

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Kuhn: Paradigms are “Universally

recognized scientific achievements that for a time provide model problems and solutions to a community of practitioners.”

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Paradigm: Facts seen in a particular way

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Paradigm Shifts

1. Facts are discovered

2. Different theories try to explain facts, compete for leading position

3. One generally accepted theory becomes the paradigm, normal science follows

4. Crisis – new facts and / or theories create the need for a new paradigm

Discovery: Scientists are always on the lookout for some new facts

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Theory: One group of scientists creates a theory that explains some of the facts

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Acceptance: It seems to many scientists the theory works – it becomes a paradigm

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Scientists become stuck in the paradigm – Normal Science

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Crisis: Someone recognizes the paradigm no longer explains experimental data

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

New Paradigm: One group with a convincing theory starts building a new paradigm

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Confrontation: Proponents of the previous paradigm try to maintain and polish it

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Confrontation: Someone tries to join the new and the old paradigm together

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Better Paradigm: But eventually the better (or more accurate) paradigm wins out

“Paradigms & Thomas Kuhn” How is Science Done?

Conclusions

• Paradigms are a particular way of looking at facts and theories

• More accurate consideration of facts and theories brings about paradigmatic shifts which enable scientists to see reality in a new light

Thank You!