Conformity vs. Critical Thinking in Science Education

This chapter critiques the educational practices in science that prioritize conformity over critical thinking, emphasizing the role of authority figures in shaping student understanding. It explores Thomas Kuhn's theories on scientific paradigms, highlighting how young scientists are often indoctrinated into established norms rather than encouraged to challenge them. The discussion delves into the implications of these paradigms on scientific inquiry, suggesting that most scientific work functions within a framework of normal science rather than revolutionary thought.