The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Revolutions are resolved when a new paradigm rises to prominence. Kuhn believes old paradigms are always replaced by new ones; a paradigm does not simply fall without a new one to take its place. New paradigms solve many of the problems posed by the old paradigm, reconcile some of the anomalies that arose during the crisis period, but also—crucially—leave open new problems for scientists to work on. Paradigms dominate a scientific community because they satisfyingly explain enough of the field’s problems without solving them in their entirety. They provide enough structure and confidence to do the work of normal science, distinguishing worthwhile problems from fruitless ones and providing a shared language for scientists to communicate with. When scientists are able to take for granted the fundamentals of their field—accepted theories, methodologies, and worthwhile problems—then they are able to proceed with research and experimentation, the puzzle-solving work of normal science.

The resolution of revolutions involves a transformation of the scientific community. Scientists who accept the new paradigm experience a shift in their intellectual commitments and engage in research within the new framework.