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Overview
Thomas Samuel Kuhn (July 18, 1922 - June 17,1996) was a famous Philosopher of Science and was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. He is well known for his book The Structure of Scientific Revolutions published in 1962. -
Early Years
Thomas Kuhn spent most of his childhood education bouncing between schools in different areas from New York to Pennsylvania to Connecticut. Upon graduation he was accepted to attend Harvard University. -
Undergraduate Education
In the fall of 1840, Thomas Kuhn began his freshman year at Harvard with a designated major in Physics. He graduated early three years later in 1843 with highest honors. -
Graduate Education
After completing his B.S in Physics in 1943, Kuhn spent a few years working in various locations helping with the war effort studying countermeasures for enemy radar. After the war ended, Kuhn returned to Harvard to obtain his Masters in Physics in 1946, and later his Doctorate in 1949. -
Physics to Philosophy
After graduating Kuhn was invited to teach a History of Science undergraduate class at Harvard. It wasn't until then that it dawned on Kuhn that he couldn't quite understand the ideas of motion put forth by Aristotle centuries ago. This was because he was studying Aristotle's work with the mindset of Newtonian physics that he was taught. However after reviewing the science and philosophy of the Ancient Greeks the physics of Aristotle began to make sense. (FamousScientists.org, 2019) -
Physics to Philosphy (Part 2)
Thomas Kuhn continued his private studies in relating Greek philosophy to Aristotle's physics and understanding the "mechanisms of scientific progress" to further his understanding on its relation over the next couple years. Whilst continuing his studies he continued to work at Harvard as an assistant professor until being offered a job at the University of California at Berkeley as an assistant professor in both History and Philosophy. (FamousScientists.org, 2019) -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions
Thomas Kuhn's most famous work was his book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" published in 1962. This book introduced the term "Paradigm Shift". According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary a paradigm shift is defined as "an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something is replaced by a new and different way". This is what dawned on Kuhn when he realized he couldn't quite understand Aristotle's physics. -
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions (Part 2)
Kuhns book describes factors that fields of study endure resulting in a change in the previous way of thinking. The approach to studying is changed as a result of a paradigm shift and moves the filed in a new direction. This is why, although Aristotle was an intelligent scholar, Kuhn couldn't fully understand his work. The foundations in physics that Kuhn and Aristotle began their studies differed resulting in a completely different approach to studying. This can be seen in almost all subjects. -
Significant Achievements
Thomas Kuhn was elected to the "Society of Fellows" at Harvard University. He was also named the Guggenheim Fellow in 1954 and was awarded the George Sarton Medal by the History of Science Society in 1982. This medal is awarded to a historian of science for a "lifetime of scholarly achievement" in the field. -
Paradigm Shift- Video
Here is a link to a video describing a paradigm shift in a different context as opposed to a science field. Check it out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJqgcfCNVhY -
References
Information:
-https://www.famousscientists.org/thomas-kuhn/
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