Key Insights from The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

• Kuhn introduces the concept of 'paradigm shifts', which are fundamental changes in the underlying assumptions of scientific practice. These shifts occur when existing frameworks can no longer adequately explain observed phenomena, leading to a crisis and subsequent revolution in scientific thought.
• The book argues that science does not progress linearly through cumulative knowledge; instead, it undergoes periods of normal science followed by revolutionary changes. During normal science, researchers work within accepted paradigms, but anomalies eventually challenge these understandings and catalyze new theories.
• Kuhn emphasizes the role of social factors in science, suggesting that scientific communities play a significant role in establishing and maintaining paradigms. This social dimension means that the adoption of new theories is not only a matter of empirical evidence but also influenced by the scientific community's consensus and acceptance.