Thomas Kuhn (philosopher of science)

Thomas Kuhn was a philosopher of science best known for his book "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions." He argued that science progresses in cycles rather than through a steady, linear accumulation of knowledge. These cycles involve "paradigms," or overarching theories that guide research. When enough anomalies challenge the current paradigm, a scientific revolution occurs, leading to a new paradigm that changes the way scientists understand the world. Kuhn's ideas highlight the dynamic and sometimes contentious nature of scientific progress, illustrating that breakthroughs often require shifts in perspective rather than just new data.