Kuhn's Intellectual Path
Charting The Structure of Scientific Revolutions

Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions offers an insightful and engaging theory of science that speaks to scholars across many disciplines. Though initially widely misunderstood, it had a profound impact on the way intellectuals and educated laypeople thought about science. K. Brad Wray traces the influences on Kuhn as he wrote Structure, including his 'Aristotle epiphany', his interactions, and his studies of the history of chemistry. Wray then considers the impact of Structure on the social sciences, on the history of science, and on the philosophy of science, where the problem of theory change has set the terms of contemporary realism/anti-realism debates. He examines Kuhn's frustrations with the Strong Programme sociologists' appropriations of his views, and debunks several popular claims about what influenced Kuhn as he wrote Structure. His book is a rich and comprehensive assessment of one of the most influential works in the modern sciences.

Reviews & endorsements

'This is an enlightening book, both for Kuhn novices and for Kuhn professionals. Wray's judgment on contentious issues – of which there are many – is invariably balanced and fair. The book is equally well-researched and well-written; it is a delight to read.' Paul Hoyningen-Huene, Leibniz University Hannover

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Product details

• Date Published: August 2023
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9781009060844
• length: 245 pages

• dimensions: 229 x 152 x 13 mm
• weight: 0.362kg
• availability: Not yet published - available from October 2024