Review_Author: Micahel E. Skopp
Book_Author: Thomas Kuhn
Book_Title: The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Date: 5/27/99
Time: 10:15:13 AM
Remote Name: 151.196.98.20
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The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas Kuhn deals with the concept of scientific beliefs undergoing changes that are grand and sudden. The text begins with the role that history plays in scientific records and how misleading scientific texts can be by either attempting to be persuasive or utilizing a specific pedagogy. Kuhn attempts to communicate his notion that a historical perspective in viewing scientific discoveries is important for us to know the scientific meaning of the discovery. Kuhn presents to us a concept of the paradigm as a science characteristic. His meaning is suggestive of examples of science as related to law, theory, application, and instrumentation and how they relate to one another. He presents to us the notion of paradigm shifts as scientific revolutions. These revolutions are to be considered as sudden and immense if they are to have a lasting impact on the scientific community. Kuhn provides specific examples, historical accounts of how science beliefs change and diverge.
Next Kuhn presents to us the concept of the nature of normal science. He presents the role of fact gathering describing it in three distinct qualities. Toward the end of the chapter, Kuhn describes the role of theoretical science. His main point are the three classifications of scientific problems: fact gathering, matching fact with theory, and theory articulation. Kuhn suggests that within a theory, an anomaly may exist, that is, a characteristic or object which seems to contradict the theory. This may evoke what he calls a crisis, a crisis for the discoverer and/or the believer. The crisis will evoke a response in which may emerge a new theory resulting in a shift to a new paradigm. Kuhn presents this with examples of historical accounts. Kuhn explains that when scientific revolution occurs old methods and measurements become irrelevant and are replaced. He explains that these changes are rarely total in their scope.
In proposing a change, advocates of a new paradigm will insist that the shift solves problems that existed in the old one. When it can be made, this claim is considered to be the most effective. Kuhn goes on to demonstrate that paradigm debates are not really about solving problems, but should be to future guide research on problems. Overall the main thesis is about the paradigm shifts that occur in the scientific community and how they evolve and make a strong hold on belief. The shifting is based on social interaction and can be seen throughout the history of scientific discoveries. I found the book interesting and would recommend it. However, at times the manner of the presentation becomes laborious and confusing.