Thomas Kuhn Quotes

A collection of quotes by Thomas Kuhn.

Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996) was an American physicist, historian, and philosopher of science, widely known for his influential work on the philosophy of scientific revolutions. He was born on July 18, 1922, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Kuhn obtained his B.S. degree in physics from Harvard University in 1943. However, due to World War II, he was unable to complete his graduate studies and joined the United States Army. After the war, he returned to Harvard and earned his Ph.D. in physics in 1949.

Although initially working as a physicist, Kuhn's interest in the history and philosophy of science grew over time. In 1962, he published his most significant work, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions," which introduced the concept of paradigm shifts. This seminal book challenged the prevailing view that scientific progress was a steady accumulation of knowledge and proposed that science undergoes periodic revolutions, where existing theories and practices are overthrown by new ones.

"The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" had a profound impact on the philosophy of science and remains one of the most widely read and debated books in the field. Kuhn's ideas sparked extensive discussions on how scientific knowledge advances and the role of historical and social factors in shaping scientific progress.

In addition to his work on scientific revolutions, Kuhn contributed to the history of science and the sociology of scientific knowledge. He held various academic positions throughout his career, including teaching at Harvard, the University of California, Berkeley, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Thomas Kuhn's work revolutionized the way scholars approached the study of science and continues to shape the philosophy of science today. He passed away on June 17, 1996, leaving an enduring legacy in the field of scientific inquiry.