The Structure of Scientific Revolutions: 50th-Anniversary Edition

Thought provoking, relevant, readable

As a practicing scientist and someone who has always been interested in history and the development of scientific ideas "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" has for long time been the book that loomed large on my intellectual horizon. Thomas Khun's book has for a long time had a reputation as the definitive and seminal work on understanding how new scientific ideas come about and how and why they gain support. Part of my reluctance to start reading this book stemmed from my belief that it would be an overly philosophical work, with a lot of opaque technical jargon, and with very little relevance to actual scientific practice. However, to my great surprise and delight, nothing could be farther from the truth. This book is written in a very matter-of-fact style, and it is easy to understand what Khun is getting at. His own background in science and history of science probably made him very sensitive to the working and thinking of practicing scientists.

The insights that Khun has arrived at are still relevant almost half a century after this book has been published. The idea of "paradigm shifts" has even entered the mainstream consciousness, to the point that it can be caricatured in various cartoons and silly t-shirts. However, after reading this book it is not quite clear to me whether Khun wanted this to be a description of the way that science works, or more of a normative prescription for how to arrive at truly fundamental changes in some scientific discipline. This is particularly relevant for disciplines or directions of research that seem to have gotten stuck in some dead end, as has been the case with particle physics for several decades.

Whether you are a practicing scientist, someone interested in science, or someone who would like to know more about how scientific breakthroughs happen you'll greatly benefit from reading this book. You may not agree with Khun's every conclusion, but the longevity of the ideas presented here makes them relevant for every serious discussion about scientific endeavor.

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Pretty Good

This is a good book, that I highly recommend. Having said that, however, this version is not pristine. There are several typos, and characters inserted that should not be there. It does not hinder reading, but it is noticeable and a bit annoying.

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

A Must-Read Classic

I originally read this book over 30 years ago in a high school AP Poly Sci class. Now as a university professor it informs most of my thinking and research. It tops my list of most important books I've ever read.

A Philosophical Masterpiece!

This book presents a compelling argument not only for how scientific knowledge is brought about, but Kuhn's work also challenges the reader to reconsider what it means to say that one has "scientific knowledge" about a subject. I highly recommend it to any philosophically-inclined reader as a major work in the philosophy of science in the 20th century.

A Dark Moment in Human History

Kuhn's book ulitmately had the unfortunate effect of making science seem irrational.

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Very deep, very clear

This book helped me think more clearly about my life.

normal or extraordinary

A person believes that science is like religion. In ancient people believe that phenomenon of nature is made of gods. It must be myths rather than beliefs. As a fact of, in science flow of history is intervened between normality and anomality. Kuhn appealed well dual aspects of history of science to readers

Central for any student of history

A bit of a tough read at times, and perhaps better replaced by a 2 page synopsis, Kuhn's theory of scientific revolution is required reading for anyone interested in the history of science, or any other social science. This is the modern dogma of the history of scientific development, and is increasingly influential in explanations of technological advancement, business change, and others.

science rules

If it's good enough for Al it's good enough for any caring individual

Old Hat and Dead Meat

Alas, Kuhn will not be remembered for his theories in philosophy of science. For the many ways in which he got it wrong, imprecise, or vague, take a look at Lakatos and Musgrave's 'Criticism and the Growth of Knowledge'. However, Kuhn will be remembered as the guy that got philosophers of science off their collective heinies, and took a serious look at what scientists actually do, rather than what philosophers of science think that they ought to. Philosophy of science, as it is now practiced, is now much closer to history, sociology, psychology, economics, and rhetoric--and it's *much* better for it.

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