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Gig Φ Philosophy: Published April, 2026
Thomas Kuhn (1922-1996), fundamentally challenged both Logical Positivism and Popper's Falsificationism. Kuhn argued that science does not move in a steady, linear progression toward "TRUTH". Instead, we should look at scientific practice (i.e., what scientists actually do).
Against Falsificationism: Kuhn asserted that scientists do not spend their time trying to falsify theories; rather, they engage in "puzzle-solving". A failure to solve a puzzle is seen as an indictment of the practitioner, not the underlying theory.
![Paradigm Shifts Analogous to Romantic Relationships Pre-paradigmatic Science Dating - no commitment Paradgimatic Normal Science Once you adhere/commit to a relationship - you become dogmatic in your beliefs about that person and solve problems as they arise Anomalies If they can be solved, you go back to the relationship If they CANNOT be solved, and are big enough problems you begin arguing Enter a New Paradigm of Normal Science Where you once again commit to that relationship Crisis Mode The arguing will depend on the sociological and historical context and values of those involved Shift When a better relationship comes along that avoids or solves the problems that you had in the previous relationship Revolution The rare occurrence of being attracted to a competing relationship [paradigm]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/sitesv/APaQ0STagN-UNJv3Qwp5L420GnlWGovxptm6WGe-hS5sVV4oLCtbiY-Ujz6nQa3L6otihOT38q5pfLv3Q_pC77Ee30fC4SbGdcbb_PVE_maD3JhYQOFxoGSrfyI0m6PcvZL4BS1Gcv91XmPr6yf_FsiK5tTkziqfUy2VRudfGTQ53Hct5bWazoHb5WKTzPJZVMm7uifUJAsLt1RNwd8MPBTMv6U8AUqinQ9X=w1280)
The Structure of Science: Kuhn proposed that science operates in distinct phases rather than as a cumulative process:
Pre-Paradigmatic Science: Isolated practitioners make observations and try out ideas without a cohesive community.
Normal Science: Once ideas are formalized, scientists work within a Paradigm (a normative framework of theories, methods, and ideas). During this period, scientists solve puzzles without questioning the fundamental ideas of their framework.
Anomalies & Crisis: Occasionally, hypotheses aren't confirmed, leading to "anomalies". While small errors are often discarded, significant anomalies can throw the paradigm into a crisis where existing theories are heavily questioned.
Revolution: If a paradigm cannot resolve the anomalies and a new one emerges that can, a "paradigm shift" occurs. Kuhn likened these to political revolutions: they are sudden, unstructured, and rely more on persuasion and conversion than pure, rational debate.
Theory-Ladenness & Incommensurability: Kuhn introduced the idea that paradigms dictate how we interpret data, meaning observation is never entirely value-free or objective (Theory-Ladenness). Furthermore, competing paradigms are "incommensurable", meaning they cannot be easily compared or made compatible because they establish entirely different standards, concepts, and communication methods.
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