Science Evolves Through Cycles of Revolution and Stability

Scientific progress unfolds in cycles of long stable periods, known as normal science, which are interspersed with revolutionary shifts. During stable phases, scientists explore and make advancements based on established principles, as seen in the works of Newton, Galileo, and Copernicus. However, these eras of progress eventually face insurmountable challenges and paradoxes that the prevailing theories cannot resolve. As unresolved issues accumulate, confidence in existing methodologies diminishes among scientists and the general public. This disillusionment reaches a tipping point, triggering a scientific revolution where outdated premises and methods are radically overhauled, leading to new paradigms in scientific understanding.