To the right, we see a glorious flowchart, created by yours truly. This flowchart outlines the course of scientific disciplines as outlined by Kuhn. It shows the process through which science moves from a pre-paradigm state to normal science, then how new paradigms are discovered and implemented after the discovery of anomalies.
hold up a second. I have some questions...
What's Pre-Paradigm Science?
This is like the chaotic, non-potty trained baby of a scientific field. Kuhn says that before a paradigm is established in some field, the scientists have no agreed-upon metholodogies or theories, and scientific progress just doesn't happen super well. nobody can agree on anyhting, so nothing can get done!
What's Normal Science????
Kuhn basically says that scientists within a field that operate under the guidance of a paradigm are doing “normal science,” as they follow the methodologies and theories outlined by the paradigm (Kuhn 1996 pp. 10).
And Anomalies?
Anomalies are scientific results that just don’t mesh with the theories outlined by the paradigm. As they accumulate, scientists take a moment and question the paradigm. These unexplainable or unsolvable results make them realize that the paradigm is not perfect. This realization is called a crisis. Normal science is over. We're freaking out, now.
What's cool about this, is that you most likely have heard the phrase "paradigm shift" before, and now you know where it comes from! Kuhn's ideas on paradigms were so popular and revolutionary, that they spread far beyond just the philosophy of science. the term is commonly used in many other unrelated fields, and even in everyday conversation.
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A solid example, here.