A short lesson on Popper's and Kuhn's views on scientific inquiry. Most of the session was spent untangling some common misconceptions students have of Kuhn's views.
2. PhySiCist
BecAme IntErEstEd
in HisTory and
PhiLoSopHy of SciEnce
ThoMas S. Kuhn
(1922 – 1996)
it’s TouGh With
EinStein AroUnD.
the StrUcTure of SciEnTifIc
RevOlUtiOns (1962)
AddEd a PosTsCriPt in
the 2nd EdiTion(1969)
4. NoRmAl
ScIeNcE
ShaRed InsTrUmeNts and TecHnIquEs
ShaRed MetApHysIcs
ShaRed ValUes
ShaRed TheOrEtiCal BelIefs
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
5. NoRmAl
ScIeNcE
ShaRed InsTrUmeNts and TecHnIquEs
ShaRed MetApHysIcs
ShaRed ValUes
ShaRed TheOrEtiCal BelIefs
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
TheSe Form a DisCiPliNary
MatRiX, or ParAdigm*.
and Just to ConFuse you, i
SomEtImes Call the ExeMpLars of
Good SciEnce ParAdIgmstoo.
ComMiTmeNt to the DisCiPliNary MatRix is a pre-
ReqUiSite for SucCeSsfUl NorMal SciEnce.
TheRe is TheReFore a TenSion BetWeen
the DesIre for InnOvAtiOn and the
Need to “ThiNk WitHin the box”.
6. NoRmAl
ScIeNcE
ShaRed InsTrUmeNts and TecHnIquEs
ShaRed MetApHysIcs
ShaRed ValUes
ShaRed TheOrEtiCal BelIefs
not TesTed
AnoMaLous
ResUlts are
TolErAted
RevOlUtiOns are not
SouGht for ExcEpt
UndEr ExtReme
CirCuMstAnces
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
7. NoRmAl
ScIeNcE
Anomaly
AnAnoommalayl y
Anomaly
AnomalAyn omaly Anomaly Anomaly Anomaly
AnomaAlnyo maly Anomaly
ShaRed InsTrUmeNts and TecHnIquEs
ShaRed MetApHysIcs
ShaRed ValUes
ShaRed TheOrEtiCal BelIefs
AAnnoommaallyy
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
ExeMpLars
9. A ScIeNtIfIc ReVoLuTiOn Is …
not CumUlAtiVe.!
not GovErned by RulEs.
UltImAteLy SetTled by ComPaRing
the PuzZle-SolVing PowEr of the
ComPeTing IdeAs.
CumUlAtiVe.!
GovErned by RulEs of LogIc.
UltImAteLy SetTled by ComPaRing
the ComPeTing HypOtHesEs’ AbiLity
to ResIst AttEmpts to FalSify Them.
10. ScIeNtIfIc PrOgReSs
the RevOlUtiOnary SeaRch for a RepLaCemEnt ParAdigm
is DriVen by the FaiLure of the ExiSting ParAdigm to
SolVe CerTain AnoMaLies.
the RepLaCemEnt ParAdigm SolVes the MajOrity of
ThoSe PuzZles and RetAin Much of the ProBlem-SolVing
PowEr of its PreDeCesSoR.
HowEver, we CanNot InfEr From the IncRease in ProBlem-
SolVing PowEr ProVided by the new ParAdigm That we are
now CloSer TotHeTruTh, BecAuse ParAdIgms are
IncOmMenSuRabLe* With one AnoTher.
11. PrOgReSs
* thE sciEnce GuideD by onE
ParadIgm iS incOmmenSurabLe witH
The sCiencE devElopeD undEr a
DiffeRent ParadiGm, in tHat tHere iS
No coMmon MeasuRe of the
DiffeRent TheoriEs.
RevOlUtiOnary SeaRch for a RepLaCemEnt ParAdigm
the FaiLure of the ExiSting ParAdigm to
SolVe CerTain AnoMaLies.
RepLaCemEnt ParAdigm SolVes the MajOrity of
and RetAin Much of the ProBlem-SolVing
PreDeCesSoR.
CanNot InfEr From the IncRease in ProBlem-
ProVided by the new ParAdigm That we are
CloSer TotHeTruTh, BecAuse ParAdIgms are
IncOmMenSuRabLe* With one AnoTher.