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Thomas Kuhn, a prominent figure in the philosophy of science, was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, to Minette Stroock Kuhn and Samuel L. Kuhn, an industrial engineer. Both parents were of Jewish descent, which played a significant role in shaping his intellectual and cultural heritage.
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In 1943, Kuhn received his Bachelor of Science degree in physics from Harvard University. Three years later, in 1946, he earned his Master of Arts degree in the same field from the same prestigious institution. By 1949, Kuhn had completed his academic journey at Harvard, obtaining his Ph.D. in physics.
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Kuhn's seminal work, "The Copernican Revolution," critically analyzed the development of the heliocentric theory of the solar system and its profound influence on scientific thought. This foundational text paved the way for his subsequent research on scientific paradigms.
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Kuhn's most influential work introduces the concept of "paradigm shifts" in scientific theory. He argues that science progresses not through a linear accumulation of knowledge but through revolutions that shift paradigms.
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The second edition featured a significant postscript in which Kuhn addressed criticisms and elucidated his concepts, with particular emphasis on the notion of incommensurability between competing paradigms.
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This collection of essays elaborates on themes from Kuhn's earlier work. The title essay, "The Essential Tension," examines the equilibrium between tradition and innovation in scientific research.
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This book comprises a collection of lectures and essays in which Kuhn contemplates the influence of his theories and engages with current discussions in the philosophy of science.
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In 1996, Thomas Kuhn passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, marking the end of an important period in the history of science.