John McWhorter, Cornel West & Robert George – Truth, Faith, and Reason in an Age of Division

In this book, Genovese examines the complex relationships between slaves and slaveholders, focusing on the paternalistic framework that governed their interactions. He argues that this system, while oppressive, also allowed slaves to create their own communities, cultures, and forms of resistance. The book delves into various aspects of slave life, including family structures, religious practices, and forms of resistance such as feigning illness or running away. Genovese's work challenges simplistic views of slavery by showing how slaves maintained their humanity and agency within the oppressive system[1][4][5].

In 'The Structure of Scientific Revolutions', Thomas S. Kuhn argues that scientific progress does not occur through a gradual accumulation of facts, but rather through periodic revolutions that disrupt existing paradigms. Kuhn introduces the concept of 'normal science' and 'revolutionary science', where normal science involves puzzle-solving within an established paradigm, and revolutionary science involves a paradigm shift that fundamentally changes the way scientists view the world. He explains that these revolutions are driven by the accumulation of anomalies that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, leading to a crisis and eventually a new paradigm that offers a different perspective and new ways of conducting research[1][3][5].

Published in 1859, 'On Liberty' is a seminal work by John Stuart Mill that argues for the protection of individual freedoms from the tyranny of the majority and government interference. Mill uses utilitarian philosophy to justify the value of liberty, emphasizing the importance of freedom of thought, discussion, and action. He introduces the 'harm principle,' which states that individuals should only be restrained from acting when their conduct may harm others. The essay is structured into five chapters, each addressing different aspects of liberty, including the liberty of thought and discussion, individual liberty, the limits of authority, and practical applications of his theories. Mill argues that protecting individual liberties is essential for societal progress and the avoidance of social stagnation[2][3][5].