Subject Area
Philosophy; Science
Description
Thomas Kuhn, author of The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, sought to explain how science changes, functions, and advances. According to Kuhn, science periodically undergoes a paradigm-shift during which time the prevailing methodologies, theories, and commitments of normal-science are all thrown into question until a new dominant paradigm takes hold. However, as his career progressed and his critics railed against his new conception of scientific progress, Kuhn would emphasize the role of linguistic incommensurability in paradigm shifts over normal-science. In 1923, astronomer Edwin Hubble took the first steps toward the discovery of galaxies. In doing so, Hubble simultaneously drew upon the discoveries of his astronomical forbearers and utilized them in novel ways to expand the scope of scientific knowledge. Applying a Kuhnian analysis to Hubble's discoveries suggests the staying power of Kuhn's later writings and the weaknesses of his early analysis as Hubble both challenged and relied upon the larger astronomical community
Publisher
Providence College
Date
Spring 2013
Type
Article
Format
Text
.pdf (text searchable)
Language
English
