Presentation on structure of scientific revolution

Thomas kuhn

1. STRUCTURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION THOMAS KUHN SWATHY VIJAYAN MANJU V K JISLINE JOHN

2. “The answers you get depend upon the questions you ask” -Thomas kuhn

3. Thomas samuel kuhn An American physicist and philosopher ; Born in July 1922 in ohio ,US. B.S in physics from Harvard university. M.S and Ph.D in 1946 and 1949 respectively. Taught a course in history of science at Harvard university (1945 -1956). His best known work “ STRUCURE OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION “was published in 1962. He died in 1996 .

4. WHAT IS SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION ?

5. Scientific revolution is a concept used by historians to describe the emergence of modern science during the modern period ,when developments in maths ,physics ,astronomy ,biology and chemistry transformed the views of the society about nature.

6. STAGES OF SCIENTIFIC REVOLUTION Phase 1- It exists only once and is the pre-paradigm phase , in which there is no consensus on any particular theory. This phase is characterized by several incompatible and incomplete theories. Phase 2- Normal Science , begins, in which puzzles are solved within the context of the dominant paradigm. As long as there is consensus within the discipline, normal science continues. Phase 3- If the paradigm proves chronically unable to account for anomalies , the community enters a crisis period. Crises are often resolved within the context of normal science. However, after significant efforts of normal science within a paradigm fail, science may enter the next phase.

7. Phase 4- Paradigm shift , is the phase in which the underlying assumptions of the field are re examined and a new paradigm is established. Phase 5- Post-Revolution , the new paradigm's dominance is established and so scientists return to normal science, solving puzzles within the new paradigm. A science may go through these cycles repeatedly, though Kuhn notes that it is a good thing for science that such shifts do not occur often or easily...

8. What is a paradigm? It is a basic framework of assumptions principles methods and techniques governing a scientific community and their science.

9. Examples of paradigm ptolemy’s geocentric model of the universe (with the earth at the center). copernicus ’ heliocentric astronomy (with the sun at the center). aristotle’s physics. galileo’s mechanics. newton’s theory of gravity. dalton’s atomic theory. darwin’s theory of evolution. einstein’s theory of relativity. quantum mechanics.

10. What is a paradigm shift? Kuhn argued that science does not progress by a linear method of gathering of new knowledge but undergoes periodic revolutions,also called paradigm shifts in which nature of science inquiry within a particular period is suddenly transformed.

11. Examples of paradigm shift Ptolemy’s astronomy giving way to Copernican astronomy. Aristotle’s physics (which held that material objects had essential natures that determined their behaviour) giving way to the physics of Galileo and Newton (which viewed the behaviour of material objects as being governed by laws of nature). Newtonian physics (which held time and space to be the same everywhere, for all observers) giving way to Einstienian physics (which holds time and space to be relative to the observer’s frame of reference).

12. KUHN’S VIEW OF PARADIGM SHIFTS & SCIENCE Science cannot exist without a shared paradigm and until there is a shared consensus on a single paradigm there will only ever be rival schools of thought in the sciences Having said this most of the time the paradigm goes unchallenged and scientist do what Kuhn calls normal science.

13. WHAT CAUSES A PARADIGM SHIFT? WHAT CHANGES DURING A PARADIGM SHIFT? HOW SCIENCE PROGRESS THROUGH PARADIGM SHIFT?

14. How are paradigms created, and how do scientific revolutions take place?   A paradigm is essential to scientific inquiry . Inquiry begins with a random collection of "mere facts" (although, often, a body of beliefs is already implicit in the collection). During these early stages of inquiry, different researchers confronting the same phenomena describe and interpret them in different ways . In time, these descriptions and interpretations entirely disappear. Such a school often emphasizes a special part of the collection of facts.  

15. A paradigm transforms a group into a profession or, at least, a discipline and from this follow the formation of specialized journals. foundation of professional societies (or specialized groups within societies—SIGs). claim to a special place in academe (and academe's curriculum). fact that members of the group need no longer build their field a new—first principles, justification of concepts, questions, and methods. Such endeavours are left to the theorist or to writer of textbooks. A paradigm guides the whole group's research, and it is this criterion that most clearly proclaims a field a science.  

16. IN SUMMARY

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