Evaluation of the concept of ' Paradigm shift ' - Kuhn and The structure of scientific revolutions.

Thomas kuhn , in his 1970 essay ' the structure of scientific revolutions ' argues that scientific progress doesn't occur as a linear accumulation of knowledge. Rather it is a result of a remarkable shift in thought which he called the paradigm shift.

Kuhn introduced the idea of ' normal science ' which is the day to day work of scientists operating within an established paradigm. The term represents a set of shared belives, theories, methods and values that guide scientific research. During this phase, scientists solve puzzles within the existing frame work refining theories and expanding scopes. 

Overtime, this normal science, inevitably faces crisis or anomalies and is bold enough to identify and accept them. The conflict between observation and experimental processes dismantle the existing theory. This eventually leads to a crisis which ultimately challanges the fundamental basis of existing paradigm.

The crisis culminated into a renewed perception or a scientific revolution that radically breaks away from the past framework giving way to a new paradigm. This is not an extension of the old one but brings in a fundamental shift in perception. Thomas kuhn in his book sites the Copernican revolution in astronomy and Einstenian revolution of relativity as examples of such paradigm shift. From the perception of an an Earth centric world to a heliocentric view brought a not only a better understanding of the word as it is but also shook up the relationship of man and his God. Similarly in the case of change from newtonian mechanic to the relatistic principal of Einstein change the perception not only of science but the usage of relativistic attitude in sociology. Does copper suggested that the transition to the new paradigm isn't base solly or logic and evidence, it also involves a social and psychological component as the scientific community must be convinced to adapt a new framework. Contrary to a common opinion associated with the phrase Paradise shift these changes are not comparable or trasable to the common origin. There only related to the explainability of a phenomena. This is often associated with a new perspective. Thus , kuhn redefines scientific progress not as a march towards objective truth but as a series of transitions from one paradigm to another each allowing a more effective solution to the problem of the day.

Criticism- Thomas Kuhn's theory of scientific revolutions introduced the penetrating idea of paradigm shift and shook the world's understanding of scientific change. However it also presented certain uncertainties.

The idea of commensurability- A fundamental idea introduced is the idea of measurability of change. Critics like karl Popper argued that this leads to an irrational view of science where a paradigm choice is not a 'logical choice' but a 'conversion experience'. 

Pratyush