Thomas Kuhn

Philosopher Historian American 1922 – 1996

Introduced paradigm shifts; transformed understanding of scientific revolutions and progress.

376 quotes

"Anomalies are invisible until they become apparent."
"Science is what scientists do together."
Work
"The structure of paradigm shifts is universal."
Philosophy
"Authority in science is earned through competence."
Leadership
"We cannot stand outside our paradigm to evaluate it."
Wisdom
"Revolutionary change is both destructive and creative."
Change
"Paradigms are often defended irrationally."
"The history of science teaches humility about present knowledge."
Knowledge
"Paradigms make certain questions answerable and others meaningless."
Philosophy
"Scientific progress is real but not predetermined."
Success
"The young scientist must first be enculturated into the paradigm."
Education
"Crisis in science is the prelude to discovery."
Change
"Paradigm shifts are not merely intellectual but psychological events."
Change
"Normal science solves puzzles within established frameworks."
Work
"The scientist's worldview is shaped by his paradigm."
Philosophy
"Revolutionary science requires exceptional courage."
Courage
"Paradigm change involves a choice, not a proof."
Wisdom
"The history of science is not cumulative but revolutionary."
History
"New paradigms are often resisted by established authorities."
Leadership
"Scientific truth is paradigm-dependent."
Truth
"Anomalies accumulate until a new paradigm emerges."
Time
"The conversion to a new paradigm is like a conversion experience."
Faith
"Science operates within paradigms, not above them."
Science
"Paradigm shifts reshape the scientific landscape entirely."
Change
"The concept of truth must be rethought for each paradigm."
Philosophy
"Scientists within different paradigms speak different languages."
"Progress in science is measured within a paradigm."
Success
"Revolutionary science breaks the rules of normal science."
Courage
"The puzzle-solver works within constraints."
Work
"Paradigms are invisible until they fail."
Wisdom