Scientific Revolutions
Scientific revolutions are episodes in which an established paradigm is displaced by an incompatible successor, reshaping the questions, standards, and ontology of a field.
Definition
A scientific revolution is a non-cumulative developmental episode in which an older paradigm is replaced in whole or in part by an incompatible new one, altering the field's central problems, exemplars, and standards of solution.
Scope
This topic covers Kuhn's developmental cycle of normal science, anomaly, crisis, and revolution, the gestalt-like character of paradigm change, the values guiding theory choice, and historiographical questions about whether revolutions are sudden ruptures or gradual transformations.
Core questions
- What triggers the transition from normal science to revolution?
- Is paradigm change a gestalt switch or a reasoned transition?
- Which values govern the choice between paradigms?
- Are revolutions historically sharp or gradual?
Key concepts
- normal science
- anomaly
- crisis
- paradigm shift
- gestalt switch
- exemplar
Key theories
- Normal-science cycle
- Kuhn describes science as moving through normal science, accumulation of anomalies, crisis, and revolutionary replacement of the paradigm.
- Values in theory choice
- Kuhn argues that paradigm choice is guided by shared values such as accuracy, consistency, scope, simplicity, and fruitfulness, which constrain but do not dictate choice.
History
Kuhn's 1962 Structure of Scientific Revolutions, drawing on case studies like the Copernican and chemical revolutions, transformed history and philosophy of science. His 1977 essays clarified the role of values in theory choice, while historians such as Cohen examined how literally the term 'revolution' applies to scientific change.
Debates
- Are revolutions rational?
- Kuhn's talk of gestalt switches and conversion suggested non-rational change, prompting his clarification that shared epistemic values, not an algorithm, govern paradigm choice.
Key figures
- Thomas Kuhn
- I. Bernard Cohen
- Alexandre Koyré
Related topics
Seminal works
- kuhn1962
- kuhn1977
Frequently asked questions
- What are classic examples of scientific revolutions?
- Standard examples include the Copernican revolution in astronomy, the Newtonian and Einsteinian transformations in physics, the chemical revolution associated with Lavoisier, and the Darwinian revolution in biology, each involving a substantial reorganization of the field's framework.