Thomas Kuhn

(Originally Written October 27, 2006 in Epistemology)

Thomas Kuhn

Paradigm:
1. Pre-science
2. Normal Science
3. Anomaly
4. Crisis
5. Revolution

Paradigm incommensurability theory

Science proceeds by paradigm shifts, not simple accumulation of data

Paradigm - the theoretical assumptions, laws, techniques, principles, etc, which are assumed by a given community

Paradigms are understood in two senses:
1. Disciplinary matrix - general sense of the term
2. Exemplars - problem solving techniques

Pre-science - inquiry without a guiding paradigm
Normal science - experimentation and theorizing done in service of a paradigm
Anomaly - Theoretical puzzle or unanswered question
Crisis - various anomalies causing unrest in a given paradigm
Revolution - a sudden, human driven paradigm shift

Paradigm incommensurability - paradigms cannot be evaluated by a single standard