Talking About Organizations Podcast 130: Structure of Scientific Revolutions -- Thomas Kuhn (Part 1)
5 snips
Oct 21, 2025 Dive into the transformative ideas of Thomas Kuhn's philosophy of science. Discover how scientific revolutions aren't linear but occur through disruptive shifts. Hosts discuss the concept of 'normal science' and how it's shaped by shared paradigms. They explore the psychology of perception in recognizing anomalies and how entrenched beliefs resist change. Kuhn's insights on institutional and social dynamics echo through academia, shedding light on the evolution of scientific thought. This engaging discussion uncovers the value and limitations of conventional research.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Paradigms Structure Scientific Work
- Kuhn defines a paradigm as shared scientific achievements that set model problems and solutions for a community.
- Paradigms shape which problems count and which methods are legitimate, directing normal science's work.
Clear Writing Makes Complex Ideas Usable
- Kuhn's style pairs clear, aphoristic writing with deep historical examples from physics and chemistry.
- That clarity makes complex philosophy of science accessible to graduate students across disciplines.
Don't Read Past Science With Present Eyes
- Kuhn's historian perspective—trained as a physicist—reveals that past thinkers used different meanings for key terms.
- Recognizing historical conceptual differences prevents imposing modern views on old science.
