6' - Structure of Scientific Revolutions
This text is a preface and excerpts from Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions, detailing his theory of paradigm shifts in scientific progress. Kuhn argues that science doesn't progress linearly but through revolutions, where existing paradigms (shared beliefs and practices) are overthrown by new ones, often involving a change in how scientists "see" the world. He supports this with historical examples, demonstrating how anomalies within a paradigm lead to crises and eventual paradigm shifts, affecting not only theories but also the very questions scientists deem legitimate. The postscript reflects on later criticisms and refinements of his original work.