The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas S. Kuhn’s seminal work upends the traditional view of science as a linear, cumulative pursuit of truth. Introducing the core concept of the 'paradigm'—a shared framework of theories, methods, and assumptions guiding scientific communities—Kuhn distinguishes between 'normal science,' where researchers solve puzzles within an established paradigm, and 'scientific revolutions,' triggered when persistent anomalies expose fatal flaws in the existing framework, sparking a crisis. When a new, incompatible paradigm emerges, it replaces the old one in a non-cumulative shift; Kuhn argues these paradigms are 'incommensurable,' meaning they can’t be directly compared due to differing standards and worldviews. He also explores how textbooks rewrite history to mask revolutionary shifts, framing science as steady progress rather than a series of paradigm overhauls. This work redefined the philosophy of science, forcing scholars to rethink how knowledge evolves in scientific fields.