What is the accurate definition of "Kuhn's paradigm shift"?
A "Kuhn's paradigm shift" refers to a fundamental change in the basic concepts and experimental practices of a scientific discipline, as articulated by the philosopher Thomas S. Kuhn in his seminal work, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions" (1962). In this context, a "paradigm" encompasses the shared beliefs, values, methods, and practices that define a scientific community at a given time.
Kuhn argued that scientific progress is not linear but instead occurs through a series of stages. Normal science operates within the framework of an existing paradigm, where scientists solve problems and refine theories based on accepted norms. However, when enough significant anomalies or inconsistencies arise that cannot be explained by the current paradigm, it can lead to a crisis. During this period of upheaval, competing paradigms may emerge, leading to a revolutionary shift when the scientific community ultimately adopts a new paradigm.
This shift alters the foundational understanding and approaches to the discipline, creating a new framework that redefines the rules of inquiry and understanding within that field of science. Examples of such shifts include the transition from Newtonian physics to Einstein's theory of relativity or from geocentric to heliocentric models of the solar system.